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VAY CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, 


LIBERTY COUNTY, GEORGIA, 
BY. 
JAMES STACY, 


PASTOR PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, NEWNAN, GEOKGIA. 


‘Non Sibi Sed Altis.” 


‘Oy 


ey s 


TO ALL THE DESCENDANTS AND FRIENDS c 
"MIDWAY CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, 
LIBERTY COUNTY, GEORGIA, 
Is THIS VOLUME 
LOVINGLY 
INSCRIBED, 
BY THE AUTHOR. 


MIDWAY CHURCH. 
Erected in 1792, 


Digitized by the Internet Archive 
in 2022 with funding from 
Duke University Libraries 


a 
https://archive.org/details/historyofmidwaycO1 sta 


: 


Div. S. 


TO THE READER. 


The following pages were prepared during the idle mo- 
ments and such scraps of time as the writer could afford to 
take from an otherwise active aud busy pastorate. Though 
a volume of unpretending size, considerable labor was re- 
quired in its preparation, on account of the dispersion of the 
people and the removal by death of all the older citizens. 
Had the writer only commenced the work of gathering ma- 
terials at an earlier date, before the death of the older peo- 
ple, who were familiar with the early history of the church, 
he would have been spared a vast deal of labor and at the 
same time been able to produce a work much more satisfac- 
tory to himself and to his readers. 

To the many friends who have rendered assistance, he re- 
turns his grateful acknowledgements. Especially does he 
feel under obligations to the Rev. Thomas Sumner Winn, 
now of Stewart Station, Alabama, who was not only born 
and reared among the Midway people, but was also pastor 
for seven years, and who, though now an octogenarian, is 
still in possession of his faculties and powers in a remarka- 
ble degree. 

He must also express his great regret, that after all his 
care, several typographical and other errors have crept in 
to marthe work. He would call attention to a few of 
these, especially such as concern the statement of facts. 

1. By the omission of the word ‘‘not’’ on page 60, first 
line, the writer is made to affirm that there were church or- 
ganizations at the different Retreats, just the reverse of 
what he intended to say. 

2. The statement on page 72, concerning the ordination 
of Dr. Buttolph, needs correction. He was not ordained by 
Charleston Presbytery, but by Georgia Presbytery at Flem- 
ington, November 19, 1854. 


TO THE READER. 


3. On page 109, in giving the number of ministers, men- 
tion was made of only ‘one Episcopalian.’’ On page 148 
the name of Rev. H. K. Rees was added, makingtwo. There 
should still be added a third, that of Rev. W. R. McConnell, 
who was the son of Dr. Wm. P. and Ann A. McConnell, born 
at Riceboro, October 31, 1829, and who, after one year in 
South Carolina college, and serving through the Confeder- 
ate war, was ordained as Episcopal minister by Bishop 
Beckwith, January, 1879, and at present is engaged in mis- 
sion work on the Ogeechee river. So that instead of one, 
there are three Episcopal ministers going out from the old 
church, with a total of eighty-three instead of eighty-one. 

4. The foot note on page 135 is misleading, having refer- 
ence more particularly to the lower portion of the county. 
A small Methodist church was organized at Taylor’s Creek 
in connection with the Ohoopee circuit, as early perhaps as 
1808. 

5. On page 155 please read Anna for Julia McKinne, as 
matron of the Augusta Orphans’ Home. 

6. Then on page 230, the statement concerning the burn- 
ing of the Walthourville parsonage is erroneous. The par- 
sonage at Walthourville was never burned. It was Dr. Ax- 
son’s own plantation home that was consumed by fire, after 
his removal to it from Walthourville. 

It is a matter of great regret that no pictures could be ob- 
tained of the three early pastors, Rev. Messrs. Osgood, Al- 
len, and Murphy. 

Asking the kind indulgence of the reader, and invoking 
God’s blessing upon the effort, we send forth this little vol- 
ume upon its mission. ° 

Respectfully, 


JAMES STACY. 
Newnan, Ga., August 1, 1899. 


PREFACE TO REVISED EDITION. 


In presenting a revised and more perfect edition of this 
work, the body of which is already in print, the writer 
would make the following corrections, and give some ad- 
ditional statements. 

He would ask the reader to note the following: 

As to Dates: Page 265, change the date of the death of 
Mrs. Elizabeth Quarterman from August 12, 1775, to 1755. 
Page 39, the conveyance of Mark Carr from 1858 to 1758. 
The time of the death of Col. John Baker from June 9th to 
June 3rd. 

As to Names: Page 151, read Adeline tor Caroline, wife 
of Rev. D. J. Myrick. Page 104, for P. A. read P. H. Mell, 
Jr. Page 127, Claudius Augustus for Cesar Augustus 
Baker, Page 104, State Polytechnic School for State 
Military School. 

Pages 54 and 267, there is an error in the statement that 
Rev. C. Gildersleeve married Renchie, widow of U.S. Senator 
John Elliott; it was the widow of John Elliott, Sr., father 
of the Senator, whom he married. 

Pages 94 and 281, Col. J. M. Kell, Jr., wasthe great 

~ grandson of Hester, not Margery McIntosh. 

Page 125, Rev. S. E. Axson was buried at Rome, not 
Savannah. 

Page 104, in the article on Profs. John and Joseph Le 
Conte, there is an omission in not stating the fact that the 
latter was also professor at Athens in connection with his 
brother John before going to the University of South 
Carolina. 

Page 138, the statement is made that Dr. P. H. Mell was 
made chancellor in 1860 needs correction; he was made 
vice-chancellor only and not chancellor till 1878. 


MM. 
, 


HISTORY 


——OF— 


CHAPTER=I. 
INTRODUCTION. 


Church, Liberty County, Georgia, for the reasons: 


ife, as well as in sympathetic touch with her present 
assments and trials, can competently speak on her 


viving sons. (4.) Being recently made Historiog- 
r of the Synod of Georgia, it falls properly within the 
SOL my duty to undertake the task. The eee of 


2 Georgia, that to write the one is, toa great extent, 
Tite that of the other. (5. ) Then, lastly, gratitude to 


It has a history to write. (2.) Many of thesources of 


eh an ae as well as the ten rattend sacred — 
pecs of the past, and the innumerable tender, loving, 


J 
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PREVIOUS HISTORY. 


In the early part of the year 1630, a company 
emigrants, gathered principally from the coun 
Dorcet, and Somersetshire, met at the New 
mouth, England, with a view of emigratin 
World. After a day of fasting and prayer, an 
Rev. John White, who had manifested deep in 
undertaking, they selected Rev. John Warham 
and Rev. John Maverick, as their ministers. On 
1630, the colony embarked for New Englan 
of four hundred tons, chartered for the purpose 
and John, and commanded by Captain Squeb. — 
one hundred and forty passengers—a compa 
people—as we are told, ‘‘the word of God we 
expounded every day during the voyage.”! — 
days’ sailing, they entered the harbor of Na 
1630, and after a few days’ reconnoitering, lan 
tapan, where, in the course of the summer, they 


home of so many of them in England, and also 
John White, their friend and patron. a 


REMOVAL TO WINDSOR. 


After a residence of five years at Dorchest 
became dissatisfied, when the greater portior 
ring the latter part of 1635, to Connecticut, a 
Mattaneang, now known as Windsor, on the ” 
Connecticut river; their places at Dorchester, hoy 
soon filled with other emigrants, chiefly tho 
with Rev. Richard Mather from England. R 
ham accompanied the colony to Windsor, wh 
his death, April 1, 1670, Rev. Mr. Maverick ha 
Boston, February 3, 1636, before completing 
ments to gd with them to Windsor. 


THE CAROLINA COLONY. 
In the year 1695, some sixty years after the 1 


(1) His. Dor. Boston, 1859, Page 18. 


ORDINATION OF MR. LORD. 3 


_ Windsor, some of the Puritan element having reached the 


shores of Carolina, and being destitute of religious ordinan- 


ces, they sent an invitation to Dorchester, Mass., for some 


one to come and minister to them in holy things. The re- 
quest was sent to Dorchester doubtless for the reason that 
some of the petitioners had either come from that place, or 
from the same neighborhood in England. Hence Rev. Mr. 
Danforth, their pastor, in his farewell sermon reminds them 
“of the importunity, both by letter and otherwise, that was 
used, and that a minister should be sent, and he should be 
ordained also. Sundry godly Christians there being pre- 
pared for, and longing after, the enjoyment of all the edify- 
ing ordinances of God; there being withal in allthat country 
neither ordained minister, nor any church in full gospel or- 
der. So neither imposition of the hands of the Presbytery 
nor donation of the right hend of fellowship can be expected 
tliere.’’* 

- Hence, too, the fact that Mr. Norman, one of those who 
subscribed to the covenant, as we shall afterwards see, was 
from Carolina, and doubtless the messenger bearing the re- 
quest. 

In response to this call, the church laid hands upon Mr. 
Joseph Lord, from Charleston, Mass.,a graduate of Har- 
vard, and at that time teaching school at Dorchester and 
studying theology under the pastor, Rev. John Danforth. 


- The following is the account given of the ordination : 


ORDINATION OF MR. LORD. 


“October 22, 1695, being our lecture day, was set apart for the ordination 
of Mr. Joseph Lord, for to be pastor to a church, gathered that day for to go 
to South Carolina, to settle the gospel there, and the names of the men are 
these: 

Joshua Brooks, Nathaniel Billings, and Simon Daken, of Concord; Wil- 
liam Norman, of Carolina; William Adams, of Sudbury; Increase Sumner, 
and William Pratt, of Dorchester, and George Fox, of Reading. 

“These, with Mr. Lord, did enter into a most solemn covenant to set up 
the ordinances of Jesus Christ there, if the Lord carried them safely thither 
(according to gospel truth, with a very large profession of their faith.) 


(1) Howe’s His. Page 120. 


“There being several messengers from other c 
Boston, Rocksbury, Nonandon, Milton, Dorchester 
messengers did meet tozct 1cr and did carry on that w 
nity that day, Mr. Lord first praying and then preachin, 
thew, 13th verse: “Ye are the salt of the earth.” After 
laying their hands upon him, Mr. Morton did give him 
and Mr. Hobert give him Ly rigit hand of fellowship.) - 


EMBARKATION TO CAROLINA. — 


About six weeks after the ordination, the 
little flock were ready to embark to their dis 
home. How momentous the occasion! How > 
hour of parting! In the farewell meeting 
preached a sermon, taking for his theme the 
Paul and his companions and the Christians of 
xxi:4-6: re 

“And finding disciples, we tarried there seven days, w 
through the Spirit, that he should not go up to Jerusalem. 
had accomplished those days, we departed and went our we 
all brought us on-our way, with wives and children, till we 1 
city, and we kneeled down on the shore and prayed; and whi 
our leave one of another, we took ship and they returned hon 

How appropriate this subject and text to the 
the separation between a beloved pastor andt 
to whom he had ministered for fifteen years, 
forth as missionaries of the cross, in the name an 
benediction of the church upon them! Their fi 
those of the Apostles, likewise followed them t: 
embarkation, and after kneeling down and m 
supplications with every expression of Christian 
bade them a long and affectionate farewell. ~ 

On Thursday, December 5, 1695, they set sail 
on the brigantine Friendship, Captain Hill. On~ 
of the 14th they encountered a gale and came n 
- wrecked, the wind “‘being so boisterous.’”’ They o 
day of prayer on board, and after fourteen days wi 
at Charleston, Friday, December 20th, whilst other 
leaving Boston at the same time had a month’s 
The following is the account given in their church 


1 Pub. Ree. P. 109-10. ‘% 


ELDER PRATT’S ACCOUNT. 5 


“December 5, 1695, the church for Carolina sét sail from Boston. De- 


_ cember 14th, at night, the skiff was near run under water, the stormy wind 
being so boisterous. They kept a day of prayer on board and safely landed 


at Carolina December zoth. The other vesszls had a month’s passage; this 


but about 14 days.” = 


y 


William Pratt, one of the eight covenanting members, and 
afterwards made elder in the Carolina church, kept a diary 
of the journey, a copy of which I have before me, the origi- 
nal being in possession of Mr. Joshua Crane, of Bridgewater, 
Mass., a regular descendant of Elder Pratt. I here insert a 
portion of it, as it gives a particular account of the voyage, 
and at the same time corrects some errors into whichseveral 
writers have fallen as to the date of the embarkation, the 
number of vessels, and also the number and size of the colo- 
ny. His account is as follows: 


ELDER PRATT’s ACCOUNT. 


“On December the 3, 1695, we, the church that was gathered in order to 
carry the gospel ordinance to South Carolina, at this time some of us went 
into a long boat to go on board the brigantine Friendship, of Boston, in 
New England, in order to our passing to Carolina, but missing the vessel at 
first, by reason of the strength of the wind could not come up with her 
again, but were constrained to endure the cold two or three hours before we. 
could get at any land, till at length we got to Dorchester Neck, and from 
thence returned to Boston all in safety. 

“December 5th we set sail on the aforesaid vessel to go on our voyage, 


and having a moderate and steady gale on the Sabbath evening, which was 


t= >) 
the eighth day of the month and the fourth day of our being on the sea, 
we were in the latitude of the capes of Virginia. This evening the wind 
began to bluster, being at the northwest, and the day following blew hard 
continually, increasing its strength thaton Monday, the 9th day of the 
month, in the evening, were fain to tie by, i. e., take in all the sails except the 
main course which, being reefed, was left to give the vessel some way as 
well as to steady her, the helm being pushed to leeward. So we continued 
till Tuesday night, and about midnight the wind was risen so high that the 
vessel was like to have sunk by reason that the small sail was enough then 
to run her under water, and had like to have done it; but the seamen made 
way for the vessel to rise by furling the main sail and bearing it before - the 


- wind. We were fain to sail thus, excepting sometimes the wind abated, as 


by fits for a short time it did, at which we lay bye, as before, all the next day 
and part of the day following. Either on Wednesday or Thursday we agreed 
to set apart Friday to seek the Lord by fasting and prayer, and to beg of 
Him prosperous winds and weather. On Thursday, about noon, the wind 


6 HISTORY OF MIDWAY CHURCH. 


began to fall and the sun to shine out, which it had not done so as that there 
might be any observations after our going out before, so that on Friday we 
could, with some comfort, carry oa tae work of the day. 

“On Saturday the roth day of our voyage, we found that we were gotten 
almost as far southward as the latitude of 31 degrees, and wanted much 
westing, for the northwest wind had driven us southeastward. On Sabbath 
day, which was the 15th day of the month, we were so favored with wind 
as that we went with great speed on our course, and on Monday, and so for- 
ward, the wind often shifted, yet not so as to hinder our going on in our de- 
sired course, though we could not go with so much speed as we desired. 
Thursday morning, being the 19th day of the month, we came in sight of the 
land of Carolina, but were, by a disappointment, hindered from getting in 
that day; but the next day we got in, through divine goodness, being the 
zoth day of December. 

“When we came to the town our vessel fired three guns, and the people, 
to welcome us to the land, fired about nine, which was more than us all. 
And when we come to an anchor, being in the evening, many of the people, 
being worthy gentlemen, come on board us and bid us welcome to Carolina, 
and invited us ashore and to their houses. I was among the best kindly en-. 
tertained that night, and kept in Charleston about a week and then was 
carried by water up to Mr. Norman’s. Increase Sumner and I were kindly 
received and entertained by the Lady Axtell, and though two other men 
were endeavoring to get into favor with the lady and other neighbors, and 
to obtain the land at Ashley River, and that we might not obtain it, yet they 
could not prevail; for as soon as we came, the lady and others of the neigh- 
bors did more highly esteem of us than of the others, as they told us, and 
rejoiced at our coming, though there was no more of the church than In- 
crease Sumner and I; and after we had discoursed secretly with them, they 
were not only very kind to us, but also used all means, and took great pains, 
to obtain our settling upon Ashley River, and that we should endeavor to 
persuade our pastor and the church to settle there. 

“Our minister was at this time up at Landgrave Morton’s, and some of 
the church at Charleston. Our minister and church were strongly persua- 
ded by the Lieutenant General Blake and many others te go to New Lon- 
don! to settle, and upon that account were persuaded to go to Landgrave 
Morton’s, which was near this place. 

“About a week after we went by land to Charleston and were carried by 
water up to Landgrave Morton’s. We, many of us together, went to view 
the land at New London. After two days, we returned to Landgrave Mor- 
ton’s. 

‘Mr. Lord called me aside and I had much discourse with him; and when 
he heard what I had to say concerning Ashley River, and concerning New 
London, Mr. Lord was wholly of my mind and willing to take up, upon those 
conditions that we discoursed about, at Ashley River, which conditions were 
kept private between two or three of us. When I sought earnestly to God 


1 Now Wilton. 


ELDER PRATT’S ACCOUNT. if; 


- 


wisdom and counsel, God was gracious to me, for which I have great 
- cause to praise His name, as well as for many other signal mercies. We 
¥ kept something secret from others, which was greatly for our benefit. 
_ “Wecame from there to Mr. Curtis’, and from there to Mr. Gilboson’s. 
3 _.We were very kindly entertained at every place where we came. We heard 
of some of those that came from New England that had been guilty of gross 
____ miscarriages what was a trouble to us, but Mr. Gilboson called me aside 
_ and had much discourse with me. Afterwards he told me that he was glad 
that I came to Carolina, that he had seen me and had opportunity to dis- 
_* course with me. He told me he was much discouraged to see the illcarriage 
_ of those that came from New England, but afterwards he was better satis- 
_ fied and told me he did think there was a great difference between the per- 
sons that came from New England. Though many did manifest their dis- 
like of bad persons that came from New England, yet they were glad of the 
coming of good persons. We tarried there two or three days, being kindly 
% entertained, and when we came away they gave us provision for our voyage 
_ down to Charleston and were very kind to us; from there we came to Gov. 
Blake’s, where we were kindly entertained; and we dined with them, and 
_ after some discourse with Governor Blake, we came to Mrs. Cumers’, where 
we lodged all night, being very kindly entertainéd, next day the people being 
very kind. 
_ “We had a comfortable voyage down to Charleston, being the rath of 
January. The 16th of January was the election day at Charleston. After 
this Mr. Lord and some of the church came up to Ashley River, and upon 
__ the Sabbath after, being the 26th of January, Mr. Lord preached at Mr. Nor- 
man’s house upon that text in 8th of Romans, 1st verse. There were many 
that came to hear, of the neighbors round about, and gave diligent attention. 
“The second day of February being Sabbath day, Mr. Lord preached at 
‘Ashley River upon that text, 1st Peter 3:18. Most of the neighbors came to 
hear. All the next neighbors and several persons came about ten miles to 
hear. The sacrament of the Lord’s supper was administered that day and 
= two deacons chosen. At tiis time there was great joy among te good peo- 


ple. 


t “The first day of February being the last day of the week, and the sacra- 
__ ment to be administered, and many of us to come away on second morning 
to Charleston to come to New England, we set apart some time in the af- 
ternoon to pray unto God, and there was much of the Spirit of God breath- 
ing in that ordinance ; and when we took our leave of our Christian friends, 
_ there were weeping eyes at our departure. Wehad many a blessing from 
_ them.”1 
_ From the above account it appears that Mr. Norman? had 
gone from Carolina to Dorchester.to- press the call for a 


1 See Diary. 
2 Several of this name in Liberty County, doubtless descendants. 


(0.2) 


HISTORY OF MIDWAY CHURCH. 


minister; that there was only one small vessel (at one 
time styled a ‘‘Brigantine,”’ at another a “‘Skiff’) instead of 
two, as heretofore believed, there being no necessity for two 
to carry only nine people; that they embarked Thursday, 
December 5th, and not 14th, as some others have asserted; 
that the church was composed of only eight male members, 
only two of these directly from Dorchester, with the pastor, 
Rev. Joseph Lord. There being no account of their families, 
the supposition is, that if they had any, they went back af 
ter them as Elder Pratt did. In his diary he gives an ac- 
count of his return to New England and of a second voyage 
to Carolina with his family, consisting of his wife, Elizabeth 
Baker Pratt, and only daughter, Thankful Pratt, sailing 
from Nantasket, January 18, 1697, and also gives the rea- 
son for the prayer-meeting on Saturday afternoon before 
their communion at Ashley River, February 2nd; thatmany 
of them were to go away Monday morning after to Charles- 
ton to go to New England. The account also shows that 
the people of Charleston were expecting them, and that 
their arrival had awakened considerable enthusiasm, as was 
evinced by the firing of a salute of about nine guns by the 
people of the town in honor of the event, an event truly 
worthy of such enthusiastic demonstration. 


CHOICE OF LOCATION. 


After spending a few weeks in examining the claims of dif- 
ferent places, especially New London (now Wilton) and the 
Ashley River, they decided upon the latter, and settled upon 
the bank of said river, and named the place Dorchester, after 
the place from whence they had come. / 

The place thus selected was immediately up the river some 
eighteen miles from Charleston, near the head of tide-water, 
the land low and swampy, and yet dotted with dry oak and 
hickory hammocks, which were easily cultivated and pro- 
ductive. The country generally ina state of wild forests, 
yet doubtless with an occasional settler. This we infer from 
the fact that it was directly up a stream navigable for small 
crafts, and only eighteen miles from Charleston, which had 


CAROLINA CHURCH. 9 


been settled for sixteen years, and the principal com- 
1ercial centre of the province, taken in connection with El- 


people coming from ten miles’’ to the communion service. 
Still, after all, the settlers must have been very sparse, their 
ee neighbors being the Stonos and Westoes, tribes of 


“ “The colony reached Charleston Friday, December 20, 1695. 
ES it was not until January 14, 1696, that ther decided upon 
et locality for their oor On Sabbath, January 26th, 


‘the irarch building, and held his first communion under the 
_ branches of a ise oe which stood near by, which was 
: B eianding i in 1849, but since fallen and gone to decay. At 
_ the time of this communion two deacons were chosen, tuieir 
' names not given. It wasatime of great rejoicing. The 
‘prayer-meeting held on Saturday afternoon before, in 
_ view of the fact that several of them expected to leave on 
- Monday morning for New England (probably for their fam- 
ilies as already hinted), and the parting scenes at its close, 
+ when so many eyes were weeping, and hearts giving utter- 
. _ ances to the richest benedictions, all showed that to be a 
~ most memorable occasion. The following is the brief ac- 
count of it which we find in the records of the Dorchester, 
-Mass., church: 

_ “February 2, 1696, then was the first sacrament of ye Lord’s supper that 
ever was celebrated in Carolina. Eight persons received (the communion) 
such as were of ye church by virtue of communion of churches; and there 
_ ss wwass great joy among the good people of Carolina, and many thanksgivings 
j tothe Lord. The good Lord prosper their undertakings for His own glory 

_____and the good of souls, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake. Amen.” 


CAROLINA CHURCH. 


‘Concerning the life, growth, development, and general 
history of the Carolina bach, we have very little reliable’ 
_ definite knowledge. We know the names of the regular min- 
- isters and general terms of office, but who were the deacons, 
and names, or precise number of members, we have no 


1. Pub. Rec. P. 109. 


10 HISTORY OF MIDWAY CHURCH. 


means of determining, as the records of the old church seem 
hopelessly lost, and the records of the Midway chureh only 
give a list of some forty families that emigrated to that 
place, without even specifying which were members and 
which were not. The records of the Dorchester, Mass., 


church, show, that in addition to the eight coyenanting. 


members already mentioned, eight others were dismissed 
from seid church to the Carolina church on Noy. 1, 1696, 
viz: Deacon Sumner’s wife and family, and his brother, Sam- 
uel Sumner, with his wife and family, with Peter O. Kelley’s 
wife and six children.2. From Pratt’s Diary we learn also 
that “Job Chamberlain and his wife, Joanna, Joanna Way, 
and Mary Way, all of Dr. Mathers’ church, became mem- 
bers.’’ There might have been others, but these are all I 
have been able to identify with Mr. Lord’s church in its ear- 
ly beginning. The eight above mentioned, added to the 
original eight, make a total of sixteen members, of whom 
Increase Sumner was a Deacon, and William Pratt an El- 
der.» There were doubtless others added from time to time 
from their old homes in Massachusetts, as well as other sec- 
tions, for, in looking over the early settlers of the Massa- 
chusetts colony, Isee a number of Liberty county names, 


showing that in all probability, many of the early Dorches- 


ter settlers came from New England. I seriously doubt, 
however, if there could, at any time, have been in the Caro- 
lma church over one hundred members, as would appear 
first, from the small size of the church building; second, from 
the rather discouraging letter® of Mr. Lord to Judge Sewall, 
of Boston, dated March 25, 1706; third and lastly, from the 
statement of Mr. Osgood. Ina letter to a friend in 1746, 
he reported a membership of only about seventy. In that 
letter he says: ‘‘About two years ago the number of com- 
municants in our church were but little over thirty; now 


they are above seventy;’’* and this only six years before the — 


removal to Georgia. 


a. Pub. Rec. P, 114. 

b. Note. It was customary for the early Congregational churches to have aaah as 
well as Deacons. See Miller on Ruling Elders. 

c. Howe's His. P. 134. 

ad. Stevens’ His., Vol. I, P. 377. 


f 


| . 


PASTORS. 


“PASTORS. 


fest pastor was Rer. Joseph Lord who came out 
he colony from New England. He was of Charleston, 
; born June 30, 1672; graduated at Harvard Col- 
ia 1691, and was oh school in Dorchester, and 
studying Theology under Rev. John Danforth, at the time 

“his ordination, October 22,1695. He remained with this 


E years. 
2 . Lord was succeeded by Rev. Hugh Fisher, a Presby- 
terian minister, a member of the old Presbytery of South 
olina. Of him we know very little, except that in the 
ntroversy that existed about that time concerning sub- 
cription to the confession of Faith, he published a sermon 
~ in reply to Rey. Josiah Smith, and taking side in favor of 
subscription. The time between the removal of Mr. 
ad d, 1720, and the settlement of Mr. Osgood, 1735, was 
en years. How much of this time was occupied by Mr. 
Fisher, we are unable to say; doubtless the greater portion. 
” Mr. Fisher died at Dorchester, October 6th or 7th, 1734. 
a in his see as of him as a minister of the 


rm in Dorchester, S. C., 1710. Reece a eae part of 
s education under Mr. Fisher;” graduated at Harvard, 
he being one of the four mentioned by Ramsay, who 


‘ ettlement of South Carolina;° erteined at Dorchester, 
: ‘March 24. 1735, and continued pastor until the removal of 


Ss to Liberty county, and for — years after- 


_ Howe’s His. P. 205. 
.. Midway Records. 


12 HISTORY OF MIDWAY CHURCH. 


HOUSE OF WORSHIP. 


For a few years after the removal to Carolina the abreh 
must have worshiped in a temporary structure, of which, 
however, we know nothing. About the year 1700, they 
erected a small but substantial brick structure, about thirty 
feet square. It was erected on the north side of the wagon 
road from Charleston, and about one mile outside of the 


town of Dorchester, on its western side, and perhaps a half 


mile from the river and not far from Bacon’s Bridge. It 
was located about fifty yards from the road, with entrance 
facing it, and pulpit in the opposite end, with three doors, 


and the floor of the aisles laid with clay tiling. It continued 5 : 


to be used as a place of worship after the removal of the 
colony, by the few families left, as well as by those who 
came in to occupy the places and homes of those who had 
emigrated. During the war of the Revolution Dorchester 
fell into the hands of the British and was occupied as one of 
their posts. Here Cornwallis had his headquarters while 
passing. After the battle of Eutaw the British encamped here, 


but retired before the advance of Gen. Greene. Before leay- — 


ing, they burned the interior of the church. The walls, a 
however, were left standing. These were refilled in 1794, at. 


which time the organization became Presbyterian,* and the 
building occupied by that denomination till-a few years past, 


Nee 


when the membership removed to Summerville, on the rail — 


road near by, and the building abandoned. Being neglected, 
the roof fell in, and the earthquake in 1886 threw down the 


greater portion of the walls, the sounding board, hinges of 


the pulpit, and the tiling on the floor, having been previous- 
ly removed to the manse at Summerville and incorporated 
in that structure, the sounding board being converted into 
canopies over the parlor doors, the hinges of the pulpit into 


hooks for the tongs, and the tiling used to adorn the hearth 


and jams of the chimney. 


a. Howe’s His. P. 567. 


OLD WHITE MEETING-HOUSE, 
DorcHESTER, SOUTH CAROLINA. 


5 [SOAR a 


bd oon 
t 


PRESENT CONDITION. ; 13 


PRESENT CONDITION. 


__-The writer visited this hallowed, as well historic place in 


January, 1894, but failed to find absolutely a trace of this 


once flourishing town. I have seen it stated that Dorches- 
_ ter, with the immediate neighborhood around, comprised a 
‘population of 1,800, of which 500 were white. If, by Dor- 


chester, we mean the whole district, we might admit the 
truth of the statement; but, ifconfined to the town alone, 


lam satisfied the estimate is entirely overdrawn. Oldmixon, 


in his British Empire, speaks of it as a “small town, con- 


taining about 350 souls.’ Hewatt, in his history, speaking 


of the towns in Carolina in 1735, says: ‘None of them, ex- 
cept one (Charleston). merits the smallest notice. Beaufort, 
Parisburg, Jacksonburg, Dorchester, Camden, and George- 
town, are all inconsiderable villages, having in each twenty, 
thirty, or at most, forty dwelling houses.’’"» After the re- 


_ moval of the colony to Georgia, and the ravages of the rev- 
_ olution, the town began to decline. Asearly as 1788, we 


find the following in Bishop Asbury’s Journal: ‘March 5, 
1788, I passed Dorchester, where there are remains of what 


“ appears to have been once a considerable town. There are 
_ the ruins of an elezant church, and the vestiges of several 
well built houses,’’° and even these vestiges, with the excep- 
‘tion of the tower of the former, are now all gone. On the 


upper or northwest side, and just across a low swamp, may 


- be seen the remains of the old Dorchester church, familiarly 
known as the ‘‘Old White Meeting House,’’ because when 


tebuilt it was plastered white on the outside. These remains 
still stand in a thicket of trees, some fifty yards from the 


~ road which it faces. A ditch well filled up, surrounds what 


appears to have been the old cemetery, though there are 
graves of more recent date around among the trees, in the 


- rear and on the other side of the building. The only tomb 


stone to be seen of older date than 1700 is that of Dr. Sam- 
uel Stevens and wife, in an enclosed wall of brick, with mon- 


a. Oldmixon, P. 513. 
pb. Hewatt Vol. II P. 289. 
ce. Howe's His. P. 463. 


14. HISTORY OF MIDWAY CHURCH. 


uments of Gage: similar to the earlier ones in the Old “Mid- 

way Cemetery. The former died April 9, 1760, and the lat- 

ter, January 12, 1761. ER 
About one mile further down, and on the lower limits “af 

the town, stands the tower of the old Episcopal chureh al- 

luded to above, and all that is left of it, and itself rapidly | 

going to decay, and bearing date of 1751. The body of the 

church was erected in 1719-20 and enlarged 1734. Thisis one 

of the most beatiful ruinsin this country, and reminds one of 

some of the old Abbey ruins in England. To blunder sud- 

denly upon such a picturesque object in a scope of woods in SL: 

an old field produces quite a singular impression upon the 

mind of the beholder. Bs: 
About two hundred yards off, and with the Ashley still + Sete 

further in the rear, as a background, may be seen the walls E 

of the old Fort, so historic in its memories, and the scene of 

the military powers of Cornwallis, Marion, Tarlton, Me- 

Intosh, and Greene. It was made of concrete one hundred 

feet long, with walls eight to ten feet high, three feet thick, 

with two sally ports, the lower commanding the river, and ae 

with a magazine in the interior now in ruins. It was built 

not later than 1719 and repaired in 1778. The walls, built 

of oyster shells and lime, still remain intact. What memo- 

ries crowd into the mind of the pilgrim to these sacred 

shrines! What historic scenes here enacted! But theactors 

are all gone, and gone forever. 


BEECH HILL. 


Although we have no distinct statement of the fact, it 
seems the Dorchester people were not all settled at the same 
place, but a considerable portion were at a place eight miles 
distant. When they first commenced occupying this point, 
we have no means of determining. It seems from the men- 
tion of the place in connection with the persons sent to 
search the land, and the mention of the emigrants to Geor- 
gia being from both places, that no small part of the colony. 
ive there, and that it formed a very important part of Mr. 
Osgood’s charge, he preaching there in connection with 


Pa oe DORCHESTER, S. C: 


DAV/O. 
42 ior *50u 


MARHET 
PLACE 


DORCHESTER, S. C., ST. GEORGE'S PARISH, June ist, 1742, 

Above is a plan of the Town of Dorchester, with the names of some of the owners at present in- 
serted with lots. It isa part of a parcel of land granted by the Lords, proprietors Deputies, to John 
Stevens now deceased), in the year 1696, in two separate tracts, being in the whole 4050 acres, which 
said lands were.......- for the uSe of a certain number........ and, by their mutual consent, divided into 
lots of various quantities, at which time the above represented plan was laid out in a town lot, by the 
mutual consent of all parties then concerned therein agreebly to the above plan, and titles issued to the 
then owners of said lots of various denominations, and town lots according to the respective numbers 
by the above John Stevens; and said plan hath ever since been considered as a plan for trade by said 


John Stevens and his heirs, and all other persons therein concerned. 
Testified the day and year above mentioned by, 
SAMUEL STEVENS, 


A true copy of the original, 
JOHANNES STEVENS, fecit. DAVID H. TILLINGHAST, Surv, General. 


"ganization at that place, still there was a house of worship 
there, and also a glebe at both places of ninety-five acres 
5 each. In 1793 the Presbyterians, after they came into pos- 
vps _ session had a church edifice there, but no separate organi- 
* _ zation, as appears from the chartered name, which was 
as “The United Church and Congregation of Dorchester and 

Beech Hill,” they having gathered up the remnants at both 
- places and constituting a united church, the minister preach- 
c side alternately at the one place and then at the other. 


Se CHAPTER II, 


THE REMOVAL. 


After a residence at Dorchester of fifty-six years, the colo- 
2 ny commenced debating the question of removal. The place 
: was found to be sickly, on account of the low, marshy lands 
Si surrounding it; besides, being mostly an agricultural people, 
je they become too much crowded as the population increased, 
_- and tearing dispersion, they concluded best to remove. 
Their reasons for this cousse are fully stated in their records, 
_ which we here quote: 


‘ 


“REASONS FOR REMOVAL.” - 


*Our ancestors, having a greater regard to a compact Settlement and re- 


a ligious Society than future temporal advantages, took up but small tracts of 
_ land, many of which, after their decease, being divided amongst their chil- 
i dren, reduced them still to smaller, in consequence of which our lands were 


generally soon worn out. Few had sufficient for the convenient support and 
Maintenance of their families, and some none at all, nor likely to get any 
among us. Young people, as they grew up and settled for themselves, were 
obliged, for want of lands, to move cut from us. Dorchester and Beech 
Hill, the places where we settled, being also a very sickly part of the country, 
. several persons among us, chiefly for these reasons, seemed very anxious to 
a __ move out from us, and had several times searched for some other place in 
, 

< 


> 


a. Howe’s His. P.569 


16 HISTORY OF MIDWAY CHURCH. 


Citvlina: but could find none capacious and comvaataee exits ‘fordhat: 
pose ; notwithstanding which, the same disposition to remove continuing inuing ing with 
several, occasioned some serious reflection on the state and cincueiiiegnes Of 
this Church, and it was thought probable, that unless some tract of land, 
suitable for the convenient and compact settlement and support of a congre- 
gation, could be found to which we might remove; and settle in a body, the 
Society would, in a few years at most, be dispersed, so as not to be capable 
of supporting the Gospel amoung us, especially if we should lose our present 
pastor, and (which in that case seems not unlikely) be any considerable time 
without the administration of Gospel ordinances amoung us —the only circum- 
stances which at present detains many, otherwise quite inclined to remove 


from us. Upon these considerations, a removal of the whole Society seemed ~ 
advisable; and having heard a good character of the lands in Georgia, “twas — 


thought proper that some should take a journey to that Colony, and search 


out some place there conveniently for our purpose, which was accordingly 


performed at several inquisitions, and issued at length in a tolerable satis- 


faction as to the capacity of the place, and a remove thereupon was more ~ 


generally concluded on.” 


FIRST SEARCH. 


In accordance with the above determination, 


Jeyg) 


a 


rj 
Pet 


“On Monday, ye 11th of May, anno 1752, three persons of our Society sett as 


off from Beech Hill for Georgia, to view the lands there; and on Thursday, 
the 16th, arrived at Medway, the place proposed. After a few days’ stay, 


er ang 


haveing viewed Medway swamp, and approving of it, and heard of large é. g 


Quantitys of good Lands adjoining, they returned home, with an account of 


what they had heard and seen. Upon which a disposition to remove seemed 5 


to encrease among us, tho’ opposed by several, and a further search was 


determined. A petition was also drawn up, and signed by many, to be pre- 
sented to the Council of Georgia, for a Reserve of a Quantity of Land— for 
us, if approved by the Searchers.” § 


SECOND SEARCH. 


“On Monday, ye rsth of June, 1752, five of the said Society sett off for — 


r 


Medway, where they arrived on Thursday, the 25th, and continued their — 


searches till the third of July, and got as good a satisfaction for the time as 
could be expected, and returned from thence to Savannah with their Peti- 
tion, and got a Grant of 22,400 acres of land, to be reserved for us eighteen 
months. From thence they returned home on the fourteenth of July, when 


people were differently affected with the relation of what they had discoy- 


ered, and how far they had proceeded. Several used their Endeavours to 
frustrate the Scheme, notwithstanding which, an Inclination to remove 
seemed considerably in the Ascendent. Several Persons not included in the 
former grant were now desirous of joining with us, and a new Petition was 


_ FIRST ATTEMPT AT SETTLEMENT. 
ie beginning of August, 1752, six persons sett off by Land, and 


oner, which was to have met them at the place, on board of which was 
of their provisions and their Negroes, they were obliged to return 
75 much there. On the 12th of eee in the pe 


ut Pepadents, happily for nite ordered them a Disappoints 
h kept them some days from their purpose, for on the (15th), while they 
he harbour, there arose a Hurricane, which was in Carolina the most 


up to Savannah, where several, leaving = vessel, — home by land; 
, who remained in her, had a tedious, long passage, and were met by 
: -ond d hurricane before they got home, but were then also ina safe Har- 
In their passage to Georgia, one negro fell overboard, and was 
d, and those who went up by land had two of their horses drowned 
heir return. These adverse Providences were very discouraging to most, 
brought the affaire of our removing to a very considerable stand.” 


GRANTS OF LAND. 


following are the persons included in the land grants 
Jed to above:* : 


FIRST GRANT, JULY 11, 1752. 


r., 500 Acres, Barock Norman, 500 Acres, 


ee sé Daniel Slade, ¢ = 
“ “ Johrwinn, Ft: c 
cs ee Samuel Bacon, ss af 
ss OY Edward Sumner, x S 


So5 AndrewWayy -  “ ° 
A 


18 HISTORY OF MIDWAY CHURCH. 


Richard Spencer, 500 Acres, Joseph Way, 500 Acts, 
William Baker, £ = William.Graves, & ~ 
Sarah Osgood, e: Se _ Joseph Norman m ‘fg 
-RichardGirardeau, “ John-Stewart;- Ke 
Samuel Burnley, ie ne [Samuel James, iy be 
James Way, af iS Robert Glass, a fe 
Raward Way, SS et Robert Echols, 3 
JosephBacon, sf ss “?}no.Quarterman, i Kh! 
Jonatham Bacon, 5 te David Russ, Ls +s “1 
John Norman, a o William Lupton, iH xe 
Wether! Way, ia eee Richard Baker, fie oe 
Richard Woodcraft, *“ “ JnowStevens, Jr., a sf 
jJohn-Mitchell, i e Joseph Oswald, bs se 
Saraif Mitchell, : is Jacob Weston, Ss ¢ 
John Edwards, a rf Joshua Clark, 308 5 ees 
John=Elli6tt, i e For a Glebe, 400 ‘ 
Total, 21,700 Acres. 


SECOND GRANT, AUGUST 6, 1752. 


Daniel-Dunnom, 5oo Acres, James Baker, 300 Acres, 
Isaac Dunnom, be Me Rebecca Quarterman * um 
John.Gxraves, 7 Joseph Stevens, 25D jeans 
Palmer Goulding, 3 Oe Thomas Stevens ah Ls 
Joseph Massey, cae “# gta Jc tt : 
Thos. Stephens, Jr., “ eS o. Wheeler, 200 prom 
Isaac Bradwell, a a Joseph Baker, ges 

N. Bradwell, s px Thomas Way, Jr., “ + 
James Christie, < + John-Shave, § e¢ 
Hugh Dowse, yi John Churchell, fe 
Elizabeth Simmons, ‘ as Moses*Way, i « 
Peter Goulding, 400 se>** Daniel-Cannon, . > 
Elizabeth Baker, re fe ' Joseph Winn, 4 “ 
William Chapman, 300 ‘ Jeobn.-Gorton, 100 ** 

Total, 9,650 Acres. - 


THE FIRST SETTLEMENT. 


On the sixth of December, 1752, Mr. Benjamin Baker and 
family and Mr. Samuel Bacon and family arrived and com- 
menced a settlement. Mrs. Baker died the day after their 
arrival, which must. have cast quite a gloom over the enter- 
prise. 


1 31,950 acres in all. The church records say 32,550. Not haying the colonial records 
before me, [am unable to point out the source of the discrepancy: 


__ THOSE WHO FOLLOWED. : 19 


THOSE WHO FOLLOWED. 


family that ated that year. During the next year 
4), seventeen families, inclwding that oF the pastor, and 
single men. Thetwo single men were John Quarter- 
y Jt. and Moses Way. Those having families were John 
et as, fo Spencer, Richard Baker, Josiah *sgood, 
ay, John Bttiott, John Quarterman, Rev. Jobe Os- 
aud Niitchell, John Mitchell, Samuel Burnley, Ed- 
, Edward Sumner, William Baker, John Shave 
Se Jay, Benjamin Andrew. Three of these families, 
., that of John and S4rah Mitchell and Benjamin Andrew, 
re from Pon Pon.! In 1755, six families and two single 
eI . ee The families were John Gorton, John “Winn, 
_ Lupton, Josepir Bacon, Andrew, Way, Isaac Girardeau. 
‘he two single men were Thomas Paacock, of Charleston, 
and Joseph Massey, of Pon Pon. ive families in 1756; 
e of William Graves, a Stewart, Sr., John Stewart, 
John Graves, and Daniel(Dunnom. The next year, 1757, 
Fev onc family came, Richard Girardeau. In 1758, Sauel 
_ Jeans and family, James Andrew and family, and (Mrs.) 
¢ ia Sataders. In 1771, the three familiés of Jonathan 
-on, William Norman, and Isham Andrews, making in 
Il, as given in the church book, a total of thirty- eight f fam- 
and five single persons. The Colonial Records, on the 


7 


_ and August 6, 1752;° and this, too, agreeing with the Sie 
= ment of Mr. James F Pediecahaes: in his letter to Mr. Martyn, 
__ secretary of the trustees, in which he states that application 
had been made and lands granted already to forty- three 


oe Pon is the Indian name for the lower portion of the Edisto river. 
ao s His. Col. P, 34. 


with two hundred and eighty whites, and five 
thirty-six blacks; eight hundred and sixteen in ; 
the church records fail to mention so many of - 
er they declixed to remove, or whether an om Si 
on the part of the clerk, or for the reason that they 
not sufficiently identified with the church and 
are unable to say. 

In addition to the above,-other settlers came, 
to time, from Dorchester and other places, as — 
afterwards appear on the records. There were 
families who had already located here and there it 


rine, Ossabaw, and Sapelo, had been ceded by Tor 
A road opened by Oglethorpe, from Savannah t Jarien 
under the direction of Captain Hugh Mackay, assisted ~ 


(ee 
o 


the soil. It is therefore natural to infer that there w 
found here and there a few adventurers, at least, w ho 
settled in different parts of the district, especially 
water courses, before the arrival of the Midw: 
Hence we find that the Midway district was represe 
Audley Maxwell in the Colonial Assembly, which 
Savannah in 1751, the year before the arrival of any 
Dorchester people. It has been estimated that aftet 
establishment of the colony, there were as many 
hundred and fifty whites and one thousand five hund: 
groes, strictly connected and thoroughly identifie 
the Midway people.’ . 


1 White’s His. Col. P. 516. 
2 Jones’ His. Vol. I P. 493. 


STATE OF THE PROVINCE. 21 


STATE OF THE PROVINCE. 


This removal into Georgia commenced just twenty years 
after the settlement of Oglethorpe. It was the sixth and 
last colony of any size that entered the Province. 

The first colony was that under Oglethorpe, which landed 
February 1, 1733. 

The second was that of the Salzburgers under the leader- 
ship of Rev. Messrs. Bolzius and Gronau, who came March 
12, 1734, and settled first at Old Ebenezer, about twenty 
miles above Savannah. 

The third was a colony of Moravians, under the leader- 
_ ship of Rev. Gottleib Spangenburg, who settled between 
Savannah and the Salzsburgers in the early spring of 1735. 
These remained till the breaking out of the Spanish war, 
when the most of them removed to Pennsylvania, not be- 
lieving in war. 

The fourth was that of the Scottish Highlanders with 
John McIntosh Mohr as leader of the clan, with the Dun. 
bars, Baillies, Cuthberts, and others, who settled at New 
Inverness, now Darien, on the Altamaha river, Jan. 1736, 
bringing with them the Rev. John McLeod as their minister, 
who remained as pastor till the fall of 1741, when he re- 
moved to Edisto, South Carolina. 

The fifth colony was the second band of Salzburgers and 
Moravians, known as the ‘‘great embarkation,’ coming 
over and landing at Savannah February 8, 1736, and bring- 
ing with them the Wesleys, John and Charles, Oglethorpe 
also accompanying them. 

The sixth and last colony moving in, and not until 
eighteen years after the others, was the Dorchester people, 
who occupied the middle country between Savannah and 
Darien. 

For quite a number of years before their coming the af- 
fairs of the Province were in a deplorable condition. George 
Il had granted in 1732 acharter, placing the government 
in the hands of twenty-one trustees residing in London. At 
an early day they forbade the introduction of rum and 
negro slaves. They also sought to engraft upon the Prov- 


22 HISTORY OF MIDWAY CHURCH. 


ince some of the old entailment laws of England, confining 
the title to land to the male issue, and throwing so many 
restrictions around its tenure and alienation as to make it 
in many instances reversionary to the crown. These re- 
strictions excited a great deal of opposition, as appears 
from the many published pamphlets of the times, and no- 
tably one by Pat Tailfer, Douglass and others, in which 
they held that these things were the cause of the decline, and 
in which they demanded a change in the law regulating the 
tenure of land, and also the abclition of the laws forbidding 
rum and slaves, as they said that every one knew that the 
water on the coast needed ‘‘qualifying’’ to render it fit for 
use, and further that the prohibition of slaves placed the 
people of the Province under great disadvantage, as it was 
impossible for them to compete with the slave labor of Car- 
olina. Yielding to the pressure, the trustees in 1742 allowed 
the selling of rum, and in 1749 the introduction of slaves; 
in the meanwhile also changing the mode of conveyance and 
tenure of land, making the title absolute in fee simple. 

These alleged barriers being out of the way, especially the 
last, the spirit of immigration revived, and settlers again be- 
gan coming in from the older states, and the population which 
had remained stationary, if not actually diminished, com- 
menced to grow; the settlements extending from Savannah 
along the coast as far south as Frederica, and up the Sa- 
, wannah river as far as Augusta, which had been laid off as 
a town as early as 1735, it having been for some time be- 
fore, a trading post with the Cherokee Indians, by the peo- 
ple of Carolina. 

In 1752, after twenty years’ management and control, 
the trustees becoming tired, if not discouraged, surrendered 
their charter, and the Province became part of the Royal 
government, and was placed under the control of the Board 
of Trade and Plantations, who proposed a form of govern- 
_ ment which was accepted by the Crown; and upon nomina- 
tion of the Lord’s Commissioners, Captain John Reynolds, 
of the Royal Navy, was, on the 6th of August, 1754, ap- 
pointed governor. He landed at Savannah Oct. 29, 1754. 
It was during this vear that the most of the Dorchester col- 


& 
a 
= 
“ 
4 
x 
& 
x 
= 


S 


PARISHES OF GEORGIA. 


The State was laid off into 8 parishes 
in 1758, viz.: St. Paul, St. George, St. 
Matthew, Christ Church, St. Philip, St. 
John, St. Andrew and St. James. Four 
others were added in 176s, viz.: St. David, 
St. Patrick, St. Thoma’ and St. Marys. 


NAME OF THE CHURCH. ; 23 


_ony came over to Georgia. Hence the following inscription 
we find in their Record Book: ‘‘On the 4th of Nov., 1754, 
we first heard of the arrival of his excellency, John Reynolds, 
Esquire, our first governor.”’ 
The population of the Province at the time of the arrival 
of these people was estimated at 2,381 whites and 1,066 
blacks. Total, 3,447. (Jones’ History, page 460.) 


THE PLACE THEY SETTLED. 


_ The colony settled upon a tract of land between the Med- 
way and Newport rivers, and upon the headwaters of those 
streams, in what was afterwards designated as the parish 
of St. Johns, and stilllater as the county of Liberty, and 
some ten miles from the sea-coast islands. Their settlements 
being located upon and within easy reach of the road from 
Savannah to the Altamaha, and originally extending nei- 
ther to the piney woods on the west, nor the salt marsh on 
the east. The place they settled, like all the lands contigu- 
ous, was low and swampy, with occasional knolls high and 
dry, in the midst of low malarial swamps with long moss 
and stagnant pools. The section embraced the portion 
where fresh and salt water meet in contest for supremacy, 
which is always unhealthy. The general culture of rice at 
first, with its attendant system of canals and ditches, dams 
and back-waters, only added to its sickness, and which so 
soon rendered necessary the location of ‘‘Retreats’’ for the 
temporary residence of the families during the unhealthy 
months of summer and fall. 


NAME OF THE CHURCH. 


It seems that at first no name was given either to the 
church or community. They were known simply as ‘‘set- 
tlers on Medway and Newport rivers,” and their house of 
worship only known as the ‘‘Meeting House.’”’ As the river 
was named Medway, and the district soon became familiar- 
ly known as the “Midway District,’ the church and com- 
munity were sometimes called by the one and sometimes by 
the other. Hence there has always heen a diversity of opin- 


24. HISTORY OF MIDWAY CHURCH. 


ion as to the true spelling and pronunciation of the name, 
and a similar diversity in the practice of different writers, 
and even on the tomb-stones, it being put sometimes one 
way and sometimes the other. 

On the original map of William DeBrahm, ~puiblished by 
an act of Parliament, by T. Jeffries in Londaa October 30, 
1757, a copy of which is in the Savannah Historical Society 
Library, the name of the river is Medway, andsospelled. So 
on the map by William Faden, published in 1780, by au- 
thority of the state legislature of Georgia, the name is Med- 
way. It is also so spelled in the letters of Sir James Wright. 
His. Coll., Vol. III, P. 161. So Bartram, in his travels 1773, 
speaks of the ‘‘branches of Medway and Newport rivers,” 
and also of leaving Sunbury and going in company with 
several ofits polite inhabitants to the Medway meeting 
house, (pp. 9 and 10.) McCall, in his history, speaks of the 
church as Medway, though of the district as Midway. So 
Sherwood in his Gazetteer, White in his Historical Collec- 
tions, and Arthur and Carpenter in their history, say Med- 
way. So Jones, in his Dead Towns of Georgia, says that 
“on the only plan of Sunbury he had been able to sore, ty 
‘the name was written Medway.” 

On the other hand, DeBrahm, in his history, written 1798, 
says Midway. The church was incorporated in 1789 under 
the name of Midway. Dr. Holmes, one of the earlier pas- 
tors of the church, in his Annals, says Midway. Although ~ 
Dr. Jedidiah Morse, who was also minister at the same 
time for awhile, saysin his Gazetteer, ‘‘ Medway or Midway.” 
In the Record Book at the State Archives, where the deeds 
to lands were recorded in 1756, with one or two exceptions 
it is always ‘‘Midway District.”’ And when we go to the 
Church Records, the first and oldest volume says Midway, 
but in the second, which is a copy made in 1791, we find it 
at first Medway, but in later years Midway. - 

Of the two sets of opinion the advocates of the one claim 
that the church was named after the river, and therefore 
should be called Medway. The advocates of the other main- 
tain that the church was named after the district, and the 
district was so named on account of its central position in 


NAME OF THE CHURCH. 2 


On 


—— —_ = * ss 


the colozy, and that the district was so called andso known 


before the settlement of the Midway people as evinced from 


the fact that the district was represented in the Colonial 
Assembly waich met in Savannah January 15, 1751, by 
Audley Maxwell, who was reported from the ‘‘Midway 


district,’ and that was the vear before the first arrival of 


any of the colonists; and furthermore that as the church 
was located on the road which had been opened, and half 
way between Savannah and New Inverness and thirty 
miles from either, at the intersection of the Sunbury road, 
which being half way, furnished a camping ground for trav- 
elers and soldiers, there being at one time an encampment of 
soldiers there. 

That the river was named Medway, the evidence all goes to 
show. Was the district then named after the river? 

In 1741, by order of the trustees, the province of Georgla 
was thrown into two counties, one called Savannah, em- 
bracing all the territory north of Darien, the other Freder- 


_ iea, embracing the Altamaha settlement and the island of 


St. Simon. Ten years later we find the state divided into 
eleven districts, represented in the Colonial Assembly at Sa- 
vannah in 1751, viz.: Savannah, Augusta, Ebenezer, Aber- 
corn and Goshen, Joseph’s Town, Vernonburg, Acton, Little 


Ogeechee, Skidaway, Midway, Darien. After the most diligent 


search I have never been able to find out when or by whom 
this division was made. McCallsays, Vol. I p. 254: ‘In 
1758, the land which had been acquired from the Indians 
and Jaid off into districts were formed into eight parishes,” 
but does not tell by whom divided into districts. Neither 
does Tailfer, DeBrham, Stevens, nor Jones, and 1am satisfied 
the thing was never done, and the term “‘district’’ is simply 
to be understood as a neighborhood or community. This 
appears from the terms of the warrant for an election to 
that first assembly, issued by Governor Reynolds, viz.: 
“That any section or community with ten families would be 
entitled to one representative.’’ Then we find little settle- 
ments close together called districts, as Abercorn, Joseph's 
Town, Goshen, Vernonburg, Acton, etc., which utterly pre- 
clude the idea of the land being divided into districts. Fur- 


26 HISTORY OF MIDWAY CHURCH. 


thermore, we find that when tees so-called districts were after- 


wards, in 1758, made into eight parishes a different enumer- 


ation obtained, without any account whatever of any change 


ever being made, except as the population changed. I must — 


therefore believe that the term ‘‘district’’ is used simply in 
the sense of neighborhood, and named after some prominent 
object, as ‘‘Ogeechee,”’ ‘“‘Acton,”’ ‘‘Vernonburg,”’ and some- 
times, as in the land office in Atlanta, as ‘‘Midway and New- 
port’ conjointly, and then at other times separately, as 
““Midway district” and ‘‘Newport district,’ or ‘Midway 
and Sunbury,” or “District of Hardwicke,” of which mention 
is no where else made. , 

From these statements it is perfectly obvious that the 
Midway district represented by Audley Maxwell in the Co- 


’ lonial Assembly in 1751, was simply the country on both — 


sides of the Medway river, being so designated by the name 
of the river just as the district Ogeechee or Newport. If then 


the river was Medway it was the district or neighborhood. 


of Medway; if Midway, then the district or ain nil 
of Midway. 

But the river was not Midway, as the old maps show, 
nor yet was there any reason why it should beso called. It 
was Midway between no two places. The probability is 


that it was named Medway after the river of the samename 
in England in perpetuation of old memories. If the river 


and adjacent country on both sides should be called the dis-_ 


trict or neighborhood of Medway, it would seem very 
strange that the same neighborhood and people only a few 
miles distant should be called the Midway district, and for 
a different reason. 

My own opinion is that the district or neighborhood was 
named after the river, which was not named Midway, be- 
cause of any equidistance between any two points, but Med- 
way after the river of that-name in England, and which 
soon degenerated into the more common and familiar name 
of Midway, and the church and community soon becoming 
known by the degenerated appellation, the idea of equidis- 
tance being an afterthought. Itisavery easy matter to 
account for Midway coming out of Medway, but impossible 


‘ 


ORGANIZATION OF THE SOCIETY. 27 


_to explain how to get Medway out of Midwar. No matter, 
however, what the real name at first, for several generations 
the church has been familiarly known as the Midway church, 
and I have so written it both here and in the published rec- 
ords. 


CHAPTER IIL. 
ORGANIZATION. 


MEETING AT THE LOG HOUSE. 


_ Soon after the arrival of the families in 1754, a log house 
was erected for religious worship, services being held at pri- 
_vate houses for four preceding Sabbaths.1 The first sermon 
in said house was preached June 7th and the first commun- 
ion held September 8th. On the 20th of August of this year, 
they held a meeting at that place for the purpose of forming 
a covenant and subscribing to the same, and also consider- 
ing the propriety of putting up a more substantial and com- 
» modious house of worship. 


ORGANIZATION OF THE SOCIETY. 


In order to understand what follows, it is necessary to 
bear in mind that this church was of the Congregational or 
‘Independent form. According to the genius of this organi- 
zation the government consists of two co-ordinate branch- 
es, viz.: the church and the society; the former consisting 
of the male communing members, the latter of all males who 


’ 
1. Mallard’s account. 


28 HISTORY OF MIDWAY CHURCH. 


would subscribe to certain articles of incorporation, wnether 


communing members or not. All required of those who 


would be members of the society was that they would 


pledge themselves to aid in the support of the minister and 
ordinances of religion, and attend the annual meetings. To 
the former was given the spiritual government and manage- 
ment of the church; to the latter was entrusted the manage- 
ment of all its temporal affairs. The Session consisting of 
all the male members of the church, received and dismissed 


members, and dealt with disorderly ones, whilst the society — 


at its annual meetings arranged for the call and support of 
the minister, the construction and preservation of the meet- 
ing house, and managed all the temporalities of the church. 
In the call of the minister, however, the church members 
were entitled to two votes. At each annual meeting the 
pastor and clerk were elected, and also a board or executive 
committee termed ‘‘select men,’”’? to whom the execution of 
important matters were usually entrusted. | 

At the above mentioned meeting, articles of incorporation 
were adopted and presented for signatures. Who were then 


present and how many signed said articles at that time, we © 


have no means of determining. We have the names of all 
the subscribers from first to last, but as the dates of the sey- 
eral signatures are not given, it is simply impossible to tell 
how many, or who were original signers. The society has, 
during the entire period of the church’s existence, and even 
since, down to the present time, had its annual and occa- 
sional or called meetings. The account of these meetings is 
full and complete, contained in two manuscript volumes, 
one of which I have had recently published. 


ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION. 


Below we give the articles of incorporation referred te 


above, together with all the subscribers thereto till the year | 


1865, when the society ceased to hold its meetings, leaving 
the account of its reorganization in 1887 and those who 
have since subscribed, for a future page. - 


‘ 


ARTICLES AND RULES OF INCORPORATION. 29° 


ARTICLES AND RULES OF INCORPORATION AGREED UPON BY A SOCIETY 


SETTLED UPON MIDWAY AND NEWPORT IN GEORGIA, 
28th OF AUGUST, 1754. 


We, the subscribers, settled on Midway and Newport in Georgia; being 
sensible of the advantages of good order and social agreement, among any 
people, both for their Civil and Reli sious Benefit; and especially its necessity 
amoung us as a Christain Society, being mostly a dissenting or congregation- 
al church, that doth not ordinarily come under all the privileges of the estab- 
lishment; and being willing to lay a foundation by the Blessing of God 
of peace and harmony among ourselves, and inoffensiveness to all our 
neighbors, and considering the necessity of forming ourselves into a corpo- 
ration, by some certain and explicit rules and covenants, in order to obtain 
these good ends proposed; do accordingly come under the following articles 
of agreement, jointly among and with each other: , 

I. We promise that we will each of us cheerfully contribute a reasonable 
part, according to our ability and circumstances, for the support of a stand- 
- ing Ministry of the Gospel and its ordinances amoung us, viz: By assisting 
in the building or necessary repairs of a m2etinz house or place of public 
worship ; and raising a suitable salary for such Minister or Ministers as shall 
at any time be chosen and settled among us, or any other expenses that 
may be needfull for the due support and comfortable enjoyment of Gospel 
Ordinances. 

II In order to dothis, and for the better management of our public affairs 
we agree to meet annually at our usual Place of Meeting for Public,Worship 
on the second Wednesday of every March (or if prevented by Rain or other- 
wise, upon some other day in the same month to be occasionally appointed 
by such person or persons as shall be deputed thereto) toconsult about the 
necessary business of the Society. 

III. We agree that in these, or other occasional meetings (said occasional 
Meetings being publicly advertised, or notified in our congregations two 
- preceding Sabbaths before the day appointed) every common matter of a 
Secular Nature shall be determed by a majority of Voices or Votes of such 
convened persons of the Society, who according to their circumstances and 
capacities, both have been, and continue to be, supporters of, and attenders 
on a Gospel Ministry among us, and who are agreeable to these our articles 
of agreement, members of our Society. But in things more immediately 
respecting religion, such as judging of the soundness, Orthodoxy and due 
qualifications of ministers, and consequently in the approbation and choice 
of such as shall, or may be settled among us, the members of our church in 
full communion, being also supporters and attenders as above said, shall 
have a double vote. 

IV. We agree to choose annually, three or more Select Men, immediately 
to manage our Public Business, according to the instructions, powers, restric 
tions that shall be given them by the Society. 

V. We agree that we will annually choose a Clerk, being a member of the 


Church in full communion, whose business shall be to keep an exact Record 


30 HISTORY OF MIDWAY CHURCH. 


of our determinations and accounts of things secular, in our annual or occa- 
sional meetings; and also a Church Book or Record of the Acts and proceed- 
ings of the Church of things of a Religious Nature ; and furthermore, a re 
cord of births, baptisms, marriages that shall be within our Society, and any 
other memorable events that may be usefull to be transmitted to posterity, in 
Distinct Books provided by the Society; and that a reasonable consider- 
ation be annually allowed to said clerk for his trouble. 

VI. Finally, that these Articles may be a standing rule and bond of our 
Constitution, we agree that they be proposed toour children as they grow 
up to a capacity of being members and supports of our Society, and to such 
other persons as may from time to time be disposed and admitted incorpo- 
rate with us; to be also signed by them, and that no person be deemed a 
member of our Society, so as to have a vote or voice in determining and 
manageing our Social Affairs, that doth not also join with us in observing 
this our agreement, and in Testimony thereof, signing these articles when 


proposed to them. 


Josiah Osgood, Sen’r., 


William Graves, 
John Baker, Sen’r, 
William Baker, Sen’ Te 
William Quarterman, 
John Bacon, 
Thomas Bacon, 
Robert Quarterman, 
Thomas Stephens, 
Benjamin Baker, 
Benjamin Andrew, 
Parmenas Way, 
Audley Maxwell, 
John Winn, Sen’r, 
John Winn, Jun’, 
John Stacy, 

John Stevens, 
Gideon Dowse, 
John Elliott, 
William Norman, 
William Baker, Jun’r, 
John Goulding, 
Thomas Baker, 
Samuel Stevens, 
Samuel Saltus, 

John Mitchell, 
Moses Way, 
Thomas Way, 
Joseph Andrew, 
John Baker, B,* 


Samuel Burnley, 
Edward Sumner, 
James Stuart, 
Thomas Sumner, 
Thomas Quarterman, 
Joseph Stevens, 
Nathan Taylor, 
Isham Andrews. 
Edward Way, 
James Maxwell, 
Richard Baker, 
David Anderson, 
Peter Winn, 
Abraham Lewis, 
Jacob Lewis, 
Judah Lewis, 
William Bacon, 
Joseph Baker, 
Edward Ball, 
William Baker, B,- 
Edward Sumner, 
Daniel Roberts, 
Jonathan Bacon, 
John Way, 

Elijah Lewis, 
Joseph McGowen, 


~ Lazarus Mallard, 


John Norman, 
Joseph Oswald 
Samuel Baker, 


William Way, 
Joseph Way, Sen’r, 
Nathaniel - aker, 
John Andrew, 
John Whitehead, 
Thomas Graves, 
William Bacon, 
John Peacock, 
Robert Sallet, 
James Girardeau, 
Joseph Law, 
Thomas Bradwell, 
Phillip Low, 
Daniel Stewart, 
James Wilson, 
Will H. Cassels, 
John Lambright, 
John Quarterman, 
John Mitchell, Jun’r, 
George Law, 
William Denney, 
Thos. H. Oswald, 
Josiah Bacon, 
Thomas Peacock, 
Henry Wood, 
William Bacon, 
Joseph Quarterman. 
jon Bacon, 
Richard Girardeau, 
John Way, 


* We frequently meet in the Records of the church and even of the county courts, 


with the letters B and R after the name of John and William Baker. 


As there were two 


of these names, one John, the son of John, and another the son of Benjamin; and one 
William, the son of Benjamin, and another the son of Richard, these letters were used 
to distinguish them. Thus John Baker B, or William Baker B, was the son of Benja- 
min, whilst William Baker R was the son of Richard Baker. 


get hos. Quarterman, 
John Lambert, 
illiam (¢ }irardeau, 
eiohn B. Ruston, 
Samuel Bird, 
David Duncan, 
Thos. Goulding, 
Joseph Plummer, 
| Jas. McCollough, 
2 Jonathan Scarth, 
Wie William Shepard, 
he James Wood, 


1 es y- 
* qeedlcy Maxwell, 
John P. Mann, 
, Artemas Baker, 
ne Mathew Bennett. 
3 _ Palmer Goulding, 
Phillip Wooters, 
Kobert Iverson, 
Francis Wells, 
John Winn, 
7 Samuel Spencer. 
Elias Cassels, 
Gideon Dowse. 
Bs _ Joseph Law, Jun’r, 
Z _ Joseph Winn, 
3a William Stacy, 
fae Smallwood, 
: John Bettis, 
of, Wm. Plowden, 
Jno. Jones, 
John Warren, 
Will. West, 

: William J. Baker, 
— _ William Sillavant, 
= Daniel Sillavant, 

James James, 


= _ Jas. Witherspoon, 
- . Simon Fraser, 

tis William Way, 

‘e John Foster, 

er. James Carter, 


Wm. Willson, 

- John Robarts. 

- John Croft, 
James M. Stuart, 
Sam’ Stevens, 
Benj’n Raynes, 
James Wilkins, 
Joseph Stevens, 

_ John Couper, 
_ J. LeConte, 
Wm. Norman, 


J. Fabian, 
Jacob Wood, 
Robert Oswald, 
Jas. A. Cole, 
Joseph Way, jun’r, 
James Grahain, 
John Shave, 
George Hughes, 
Wm. Spencer, 
Thos. Shepard, 
Dan Sillavant, 
Lathrop Holmes. 
Edward Stevens, 
Jno. Bacon, 

Jas. Holmes, 

Joel Walker, 
Richard Norman, 
John Osgood, 
Wm. Girardeau, 
Francis Ross. 
Elijah Baker, 


' John Fulton, 


John Way, jun’. 
Thos. Cox, 

Thos. Mell, 
Jesse Warren, 

M. Andrews, 

Sam Jones, 

Josiah Osgood, jun’r, 
P. H. Wilkins, 
Liberty Holmes. 
John Mell, 

ohn S. Quarterman, 
Wm. Lambright, 
Zak Gaulden, 


~John Mallard, 


Jonathan HK. Bacon, 
Hugh McCollough, 
Thos. Mallard, 
William Fleming, 
Thos. Baker, 

Joseph Bacon, 
Josiah Osgood, jun’, 
John Osgood, jun’r, 
John Sheppard, 
Thomas Baker, 


Thomas Stevens, jun’r, 


William Mell, 
Sam J. Axson. 
John I. Baker, 
John Elliott, 
Thos. Bacon, Jun’, 
James Robarts, 
Ben Baker, 
John McGowen, 
Sam'l Sanders, 
Wm. N. Way, 
Wm. McGowen, 
William Baker, 


Thos. Sheppard, 
Thos. Baker, jun’r, 
James Moore, 
Robert Stacy, 
Sam] Lewis. 
Benjamin B. Winn, 
Jno. Stewart, 
Joseph Norman, 
Daniel Miller, 

R. H. Baker. 
Robert Sallet. 

John Winn, 

Oliver Stevens, 
Benjamin Mell, 
Richard Quarterman. 
James Mell, 
Robert Quarterman, 
John Martin, 

John Dunwoody, 
Edmund Bacon, 
Peter F. Winn, 
Jesse Ham, 

Joseph Wilson. 
Thomas Goulding, 
Samu’l Dowse, 
Wm-MeGowen, 
William Wilson, 
Jno. Kell. 

E—Ee Conte, 

John Wm. Wilkins, 
J. O. Baker, 

Wm. F. Ladson, 
Wm. Robarts, 
Alex’n Martin, 
Kinla Keep, 

Uriah Wilcox, 
Nath1 Law, 
Morgan Ward, 
Peter J. Goulding, 
Jno. Stevens, 
James Lambright, 
Daniel McL. Stewart, 
Thos. S. Winn. 
Jos. E. Morris, 

Ad. Alexander. 

C. Hines, 

Jos. Jones, 
Nathaniel Varnedoe, 
Donald ¢ raser, 
Thomas H. Oswald. 
John Coke, 

H. C. Baker, 

T. M. Kallender, 
Moses Way, 

Jno. Maxwell, 
William Fraser, 
Sam Jones, jr., 
Jas. S. Bradwell. 
William H. Mell, 


» 
- 


32 HISTORY OF MIDWAY CHURCH. 
Wm. Anderson, W. B. Fleming, © Jas. D. Stevens, 
Matthew Bennett, Joseph F. McGowen, H. M. Stevens, 
William Norman, Geo. W. Walthour, B. B. King, 
Joseph Quarterman, Robert Q. Andrews, J. C. Wilkins, 
William Thomson, William Spencer, C. H. Heywood, 
J. D. Hathaway, John B. Mallard. Irwin Rahn, : 
John Way, jr., Jno. S.. Law, Abiel Winn, ; 
Moses W. Way, James McIntosh, Wm. W. Winn, 
Edward Way, Samuel Spencer C. S. Mallard, 
Wm. W. Baker, Ezra Stacy, Jos. R. Bacon, 
James Wilson, P. W. Fleming, ~~ John Mallard, 
Benj. Mell, jun’r, W. M. Maxwell, Henry Way, 
Thos. McL. Stone, J. H. Hardee, R. Y. Quarterman, 
Simon Fraser, Thos. G. Way, Jos. W. Robarts, 
Samuel Jones, : Q. Way, John E. Fraser, 
Josiah Goodson, Samuel Way, Ch. B. Jones, 
B. A. Busby, James S. McCollough, Henry H. Jones, 
W.E. W. Quarterman, Wm. S. Baker, » E. K. Delegal, 
Jno. Girardeau, J. W. Quarterman, J. Wilson Winn, 
R. C. McConnell, James 5S. Bullock, A. Wilkins, 
W. P. McConnell, ' J. M. B. Harden, B. W. Allen, J 
William Jones, W. Maxwell, E. L. Winn, 
John W. Stacy, W. G. Martin, William S. Norman, 
Jo. Hargreaves, “ Chas. C. Jones, E. H. Wright, 
Robert McIntosh, John S. Norman, J. Thiess, 
Robert Laing, Artemas Baker, J. B. Way, ; 
R. F. Baker, . Wm. Le Conte, ~~ L. L. Varnedoe, 
Eugene Bacon, Thos. Q. Cassels, John Cassels, 
William Osgood, Charles W. West, N. L. Barnard, 
W. P. Girardeau, John E. Mann, W.L Walthour, 
William L. Baker, S. A. Fraser, I. N. Miller, 
Henry N. Butler, James S. McCollough, R. F. Jones, 
M. L. Jones, 5S. 5. Moody, J. E. Baker, 
Thos. J. Shepard, — S. M. Varnedoe, W. J. Fulton, 
Robt. Laing, Thos. Mallard, R. Harris, 
Robert P. Burton, Thos. W. Fleming, —-R. A. Varnedoe, 
A. Maybank, John S, Fleming, J. S. Cosby, 
—420 


CHURCH ORGANIZATION. 


It is very much to be regretted that we are unable to say 
as much concerning the organization of the church as of the 
society. Ofthe former, we have no account whatever. In- 
deed it seems to have been no new organization at all, but 
simply a transfer or continuation of the Carolina church, 
with its officers and members. Hence we find no mention of 
pastor, deacons, or elders at the first meeting; no mention 
of election of select men or clerk. At the second annual 
meeting, in 1755, it was voted that Mr. Benjamin Baker be 
continued clerk, and Messrs. John Stevens, John Elliott, Wil- 
liam’ Baker and Parmenas Way, be continued select men. 


DEACONS. 23 


The first direct intimation in the Midway Records of the 
existence of a church is the mention of the administration of 
the sacrament of the supper and the reception of certain 
members into its communion. We know who was the pas- 
tor, the clerk and the select men, but who the original mem- 
bers, we are left largely to conjecture. These, together with 
the account of the organization, might have been upon the 
first leaves of the Record, quite a number of which are now 
lost. This much, however, might be said to the contrary, 
that in the paged Index to the volume which we now have, 
nothing is said about those things there. It might be that 
the organization of the society was considered sufficient, es- 
pecially as there seems to be a mixing up at times of spiritu- 
al and temporal things in the proceedings of the society; 
they, in many instances, considering questions pertaining 
solely to the spiritual life oi the church. If we only had the 
records of the Carolina church, this deficiency could easily be 
supplied. But we have no account of them even after the 
most diligent search. As we have a list of all who have ever 
joined, a list of the members in 1776, and also the baptisms 
of the children, and the names of parents, by a comparison 
and computation we can somewhat approximate to the 
number, and no doubt give a majority of the names with a 
tolerable degree of certainty, but after all, it will be but con- 
jecture with regard to quite a number. As the removal of 
the families continued for several years, I seriously doubt 
whether the church at any time during the first three years 
of its existence had a membership of over seventy-five. 


DEACONS. 


As the first account of an election for deacon was in 1767, 
the supposition is that there was but one deacon up to that 
date, viz.: Mr. William Baker, who appears to have been 
chosen in Carolina. In the Dorchester, Mass., church, there 
were elders as well as deacons ; so in the Carolina church at 
first, for we have an account of the election of William Pratt 
as elder, in addition to the election of two deacons. This, 
as already hinted, was the custom at first in many of the 


34 HISTORY OF MIDWAY CHURCH. 


Congregational churches in this country, and still in Eng- 
land, as in the case of Mr. Spurgeon, who had a board of 
elders as well as deacons, but the custom has fallen into gen- 
eral desuetude, especially in America. The officers of the 
Midway church, in addition to the pastor, were deacons, 
elected by the church, and five ‘‘select men’’ appointed an- 
nually by the society. The former were a kind of quasi rul- 
ers, to assist the pastor in the spiritual oversight of the 
church, and to distribute the elements on sacramental oc- 
casions; and the latter merely an ad interim or executive 
committee to carry out the plans and work of the society. 

On the same day that the articles of incorporation were 
agreed upon and signed, viz.: August 28, 1754, two ques- 
tions were considered : 


LOCATION OF THE MEETING HOUSE. 


The first was the question of location of a new meeting 
house. It was then decided that the house should be erected 
on Midway neck, on the same spot where the log house then 
used, stood. This decision was reconsidered at asubsequent 
meeting, January 12, 1756, when it was determined that 
the ‘‘hill at the cross-patns on the north side of the north 
branch of Newport swamp be the place of the meeting 
house,’’ being about three-quarters of a mile further to the 
west; at which time it was also decided that the size should 
be forty-four by thirty-six feet, with eighteen feet in the sto- 
ry, pitched roof, hipped at one end and a small steeple at the 
other, and the house placed on the west side of the road. It 
was also decided that a vestry house, sixteen by twelve feet 
should also be built, and for convenience, should first be 
erected. The object of the vestry was not as in olden times, 
for the keeping of the vestments and sacerdotal robes of the 
priest, but used as a place of deposit for the communion ta- 
bles and benches and of the bier, used on funeral occasions. 
The writer well remembers the vestry house painted red, and 
standing on the west side of the main road and south of the 
graveyard; and still further, with what feelings of awe and 
alarm he would look upon that bier painted black, usually 


ELECTIVE FRANCHISE. 


a) 
! 


kept on the unceiled Fleiss Sucikedd, It was found necessa- 
ry to modify the above action of location on account of the 
workmen framing the building with the steeple on the west 
side; unwilling that the steeple should be on the opposite 
side from the road, it was resolved that the location of the 
house should be changed from the west to the east side, the 
steeple still in the west with the pulpit in the north, it being 
more comfortable for the minister in the heat of summer. 
This house was built in 1756, the land being deeded by Mr. 
John Stevens and his wite, and the contract for sawing the 
lumber awarded by the select mento Mr. James Maxwell 
the year before. There being no water or steam saw mills 
in those days, the work was done by hand with what was 
then styled a whipsaw, the log being placed upon a pen and 
the saw drawn through it by two men, one above and the 
other below. The reader can easily imagine what an under- 
taking it was to saw the lumber for such a structure. The 
fact that the lumber was in a great measure from cy- 
press trees relieves it somewhat of its difficulty, but after all, 
‘quite an undertaking; but these sturdy Christians did not 
hesitate to-do any thing demanded by the claims of religion. 
The frame was raised September 8. 1756,°two years after 
the contract for sawing. By the beginning of the next year 
the house, though not finished, was sufficiently advanced 
for holding services, the first sermon being preached in it 
January 2, 1757. 


ELECTIVE FRANCHISE. 


The other question considered at that first meeting was 
that of the elective franchise—who should be entitled to a 
vote? According to the articles of agreement, church mem- 
bers were entitled to a double vote in choice of a minister, 
but some of the subscribers had not yet commenced settle- 
ment and become real residents. So it was voted that the 
privilege should be in proportion to the apparent probabili- 
ty of their coming to live among them, each case being de- 
cided upon its own merits. According to this rule, it was 
decided that Messrs. Joseph Bacon was entitled to a whole 


36 ITIISTORY OF MIDWAY CHURCH. 


vote, Jonathan Bacon a half, Richard Wooderaft and Isaac 
Bradwell and Mrs. Rebecca Quarterman, a quarter each. 
At the same time it was also decided that all minors should 
be entitled to only one-half vote. 


RAISING OF MINISTER’S SALARY. 


For the first six years after the establishment of the colo-. 
ny, the method of raising the salary of Mr. Osgood was by 
subscrition, in which ‘‘several persons were rated.’”’ At the 
annual meeting in March, 1761, it was decided that the 
minister’s salary should be raised by assessment of the pews. 
From that time till the end it became the settled policy of 
the church to raise the salary by renting of the pews. 

The plan adopted was not to put up the pews and rent to 
the highest bidder, for this might not realize asufficient sum. 
But to insure the amount, a tax was put upon the several 
seats, from three pounds up to thirty pounds, according to 
position and desirability. Animportant question growing 
out of this was to decide upon what principle was the choice 
to be made? At first the right of choice was determined by 
the amount paid on pastor’s salary. Thus he who had paid 
most would have first choice, and so on, but afterwards it 
was decided that the thing to determine the right of choice 
would be the amount of money paid to the building and re- 
pairing of the edifice. Hence the necessity of keeping what 
was known as a “‘Book of Rights,” in which were kept the 
several amounts paid by different individuals and families. 

As this matter of rights was likely to become a thing of 
barter and sale, and the whole plan open to a variety of 
abuses, it was soon found necessary to guard against these 
abuses as well as interpret the scheme by the addition of 
special rules, such as the following, which were adopted at 
different times: 

“That no person leaving the society shall transfer his 
right to another, except to such as the church shall approve. 

“That no person on his right shall be allowed more room 
than required by his family, a child under six years of age 
being entitled to only one-half seat. 


SELECTING SEATS. 37 


“That no person shall be allowed to choose seats on the 
right of any person not a frequenter of public worship in 
this place; nor shall any person having a right choose seats 
in order to dispose of them to other persons.”’ 

The following rule, carrying out the old idea of heredity, 
was adopted for a while at first: ‘“‘That theeldest sonshould 
enjoy the right of the deceased father, unless he shall order 
otherwise in his will, provided he shall accommodate the 
widow during her widowhood, she paying annually her part 
of the cost.”’ 

On account of dissatisfaction this rule was afterwards 
amended, so that a man could dispose of his right by will. 
In case of no will, the right to be equally divided among the 
heirs. If they could not agree and any one of them reported 
it to the church, then the church would proceed to settle the 
ease, all parties being required to submit to its arbitration. 

There was still another rule, that if any person should be 
in arrears on the day of choosing seats, he thereby forfeited 
his right of choice. 

Just here it may be added that it was the custom on the 
day of renting pews for each man to give his note for the 
amount, in regular legal form, and in several instances, lat- 
er on, the order was passed authorizing the select men to 
proceed and collect those of delinquents, by law. 

Some of the above regulations may seem to us a little 
harsh, but we must remember that this people were as one 
family, in a state of isolation from therest of the world, 
with no strangers in their midst to be driven off by their 
seeming exclusiveness. It was a matter of importance that 
the seats be controlled by the church. Without the above 
or similar restrictions outsiders might come in and control 
the pews to the great detriment of the church. In after 
years the rights so accumulated as to become under par, 
and persons finding it cheaper to buy than contribute to the 
building fund, would resort to this method of increasing 
their right. The church therefore found it necessary to scale 
the rights, which was done in 1849, at which time a reduc- 
tion of seventy-five per cent was made. Two years there- 
after the whole scheme of rights was abolished and the seats 
sold to the highest bidder. 


38 HISTORY OF MIDWAY CHURCH. 


With these restrictions, the plan of renting the pews con- — 
tinued in force through the whole history of the church, and 
was found to work well with these two decided advantages: 
First, the pastor’s salary was more easily and certainly 
raised, subscribers feeling the obligation, having given their 
individual notes; and secondly, better order, as families 
worshipped together, the children being under ie individu-_ 
al eye of the parents. 


CHAPTER IV. 


PROGRESS OF THE CHURCH TILL THE DIS- 
PERSION. 


MR. OSGOOD’S MINISTRY. 


The church and congregation continued to increase under 
the ministry of Mr. Osgood, insomuch so that Rev. Archi- 
bald Simpson, of Carolina, when passing through on his 
way to the Altamaha settlement, which people he visited in 
1761, expressed astonishment ‘‘at the great and beautiful 
improvement in the Midway settlement, the fine planta- 
tions, the large and well finished meeting house, the good 
public roads, in what seven years before was looked upon 
as an almost impenetrable swamp.’ 

As the result of this steady and continued growth, it was 
soon found necessary that an addition should be made to 
the house, ‘‘or some method fallen on to make more room 
therein.’’ The first plan was to ‘‘make the gallery commo- 
dious for the whites and a shed be made for the negroes.”’ 


1, Howe’s His. Vol. I P. 317. 


MR. OSGOOD’S MINISTRY. 39 


Whether this shed was added does not appear, but accor- 
ding to the statement of Mr. John Ashmore to Dr. Jones, for 
some time the whites had seats in the gallery with the ne- 
groes.! In 1770, it was resolved that ‘‘an aisle be made to 
the house of twenty-nine by twenty feet, roof porch fashion 
and hip end.’”’ This, however, seems not to have been done 
till 1772, when it was resolved that the addition should be 
to tne south side with square pews, ‘‘instead of long ones 
with seats only in the back parts.”’ 

In addition to the gradual influx of emigrants from Caro- 
lina and elsewhere, which added more to the population 
than the naturalincrease, the record showing nearly as 
many deaths as births for the first decade; the thing that 
added strength and influence to the society was the rise and 
growth of the town of Sunbury upon the coast, and only 
ten miles distant. 

On the 20th day of June, 1958, Captain Mark Carr con- 
veyed to James Maxwell and others three hundred acres of 
land in trust, to be laid out in lots for a town at Sunbury. 

The lots were sold in accordance with the terms of con- 
veyance, and the town of Sunbury soon became a place of 
considerable size and importance, and also the abode of 
many of the members of the Midway church and congrega- 
tion. As the result, we find the following record: “On 
Monday, December 19, 1763, some of the inhabitants of 
Sunbury, with many of the country members, met by ap- 
pointment at our meeting house in the country in order to 
make out a call for the Rev. John Alexander to reside and 
preach amongst us, and it was agreed that he should be 
called as assistant to Rev. Mr. John Osgood, our present 
pastor, that in case of Mr. Osgood being rendered at any 
time incapable of preaching by sickness or otherwise, or in 
case of his being taken from us, that the Rev. Mr. Alexander 
shall preach a part of his time at this place in the country, 
and that his preaching in the town and country shall be 
proportioned to the salary paid him from the members and 
inhabitants of each place.’’2 


1. Dr. Jones’ 10th Report. 
2. Pub. Rec. P. 4. 


4.0 HISTORY OF MIDWAY CHURCH. 


' Thus it appears that an assistant was deemed necessary, 


and not so much on account of the failure of Mr. Osgood’s — 3 | 
health, as necessitated by the scattered condition of the 


members and the rising importance of the town of Sunbury, © 
Rev. John Alexander was called to preach at both places, 
the proportion being determined by the amount of money 
paid and number of interested people at each place. 

We have no further account of Mr. Alexander. It is pre- 
sumed he did not accept the position. Who Mr. Alexander 
was, of what church, or what ever became of him, I have 
not been able to find out. He seemed, however, to have been — 
well known in the community and even a citizen of the so- 
ciety. as we find the record of his marriage to Hannah God- 
frey March 27, 1764. 

Disappointed in not securing the services of Rey. John Al- 
exander, the church in 1767, made out a call to the Rey. — 
James Edmonds, of South Carolina, who had been co-pastor 
with Rev. William Hutson, -of the Independent Congrega- — 
tional church of Charleston, to fill the place offered Mr. Al- 
exander, as assistant or co-pastor with Mr. Osgood. He 
accepted the place and arrived August 9, 1767, making his 
home at Sunbury. He preached his first sermon at Midway 
“‘on Wednesday, the 26th day of the same month, and at 
the Altamaha the 30th and 31st, he agreeing to supply — 
them also once a month for the first year.”’ 

Mr. Edmonds was a native of London, born about 1720. 
As described by one who knew him, “‘he was in person rath- 
er above the ordinary size of men, weighing probably over 
two hundred pounds, had a full face and heavy eyebrows, 
yet he was polite, affable, dignified, and more loquacious 
than usual for one of his age. His manner of preaching was 
plain, solemn, and unostentatious. His sermons were short, 
but practical and altogether extempore.’”! He continued as 
a kind of assistant or missionary minister, living at Sun- 
bury, for about three years. He returned to Charleston in 
1770, where he died April, 1793, aged 73. Helost his eve-— 
sight and was blind the last three years of his life.” 


1. Howe’s His. P. 665. 


2. While at Charleston, he was taken prisoner in 1780 after the fall of the city, and 
with 129 others as detained pee prisoners on board prison ship Torbay. See Gibbs’ 
loc. His. and Ramsay’s His. Vol. I 542 


FAILURE OF MR OSGOOD’S HEALTH. Al 


It was during Mr. Edmond’s stay in Sunbury that Rev. 
Archibald Simpson made his second visit, passing through 
to Altamaha and spent acommunion season at Midway, 
August 12, 1769, when the three ministers, Rev. Messrs. 
- Osgood, Edmonds and Simpson officiated on the Lord’s day. 
“The congregation was large and genteel, attentive and 
tenderly impressed, and the whole occasion reminded him 
of the many sweet seasons he (Simpson) had enjoyed in 
Scotland.’’! ‘ 

After the return of Mr. Edmonds to Charleston, Mr. Os- 
good now becoming advanced in age and infirm in health, 
the church began looking around for an assistant and fu- 
ture pastor. They agreed June 26, 1771, upon the form 
of a call to be sent to New Jersey for a minister; they also 
agreed in the meanwhile, to have public services continued 
among themselves by reading sermons.’”” 


FAILURE OF MR. OSGOOD’S HEALTH. 


Mr. Osgood’s health failed in 1771, two years before his 
death, but he continued to preach as he was able. During 
these two years we find that his pulpit was frequently supplied 
by visiting ministers. On Sabbath, June 16th, he was so 
ill as not to preach at all. On Monday after he rode in a 
chaise to Sunbury, where he went on board a vessel to be 
carried out upon the salts, to which he had been advised by 
his physician. On Friday of the same week, he returned 
home very ill, with very little hope either by himself or oth- 
ers of his ever preaching again. His strength, however, ral- 
lied and we find him preaching a few times afterwards. The 
last service he rendered was on May 5, 1773, a day appoint- 
ed for fasting and prayer to have the gospel continued 
among them, when, after the reading a sermon by one of the 
members, Mr. Osgood delivered a short, pathetic exhorta- 
tion which, said he, would be his last, as it proved. He was 
present, however, at the communion June 20, 1773, conduct- 
ed by Rev. Wm. Zubly, and partook of the sacrament, 


1. Howe’s His. P. 318. 
2. Pub: Rec..P. 62. 


4.2 HISTORY OF MIDWAY CHURCH. 


though able to be up but a part of the service, whieh was es 


his last attendance on public worship. He died the 2d of 
August, following. 

No minister perhaps was ever more generally honored and 
universally loved by his people than this faithful servant of 


God; or as Dr. Zubly expressed it in his funeral discourse, — 


‘no congregation happier in a minister, and no minister 
happier in a congregation.’’ Born and reared in their midst, 
coming with them from Carolina, sharing their troubles and 
hardships, and sympathizing with them and serving them 
so faithtully and long, he only the more endeared himself to 
them. He was a man that had the interest of the church at 
heart, and who felt for all classes, even his servants, as ap-— 
pears from his last letter.1 Dr. Holmes, who became pastor 
of the church some twelve years after his death, and know- 
ing full well the influence and fragrance of his pious and holy 
life left behind, says of him in his Annals, that “he was the 
father and friend as well as the shepherd of his flock.’* 
Bartram, the English traveler, who visited the community 
and attended services at the church, speaks of him as ‘their 
pious and venerable pastor.’’* So the Rev. Archibald Simp- 
son, of Carolina, in his second visit to Midway in 1769, 
terms him ‘ta Nathanael, an Israelite indeed, much ofa gen- 
tleman and yet with the most primitive and plain simplici- 
ty in his behavior, by nature and grace of a most mild, frank © 
and pleasant disposition, and withal a most edifying, de- 
lightful and instructive preacher.’’* On the chureh record 
we find this simple yet earnest tribute: ‘August 2, 1773, 
our dear and much honored pastor, the Rev. John Osgood, — 


who was born and received a part of his education among — 


us under the Rev. Mr. Fisher, our former pastor in Caroli- 
na, and finished his studies in Cambridge College in New 
England, where he graduated (in 1733), departed this life. 
He was ordained to the pastoral charge over us November 
24th anno 1735, and continued so thirty-eight years and 
about four months, wanting but a few days.’’ Dr. Zubly 
preached his funeral sermon. His remains were borne by 


1. Mallard’s account. 2. Annals Vol. II P. 407. 3. Travels, P. 9. 4. Howe’s His. 
Vol. I P. 318, 


y 


TEMPORARY SUPPLIES. 42 


7 loving hands of his people and deposited in the graveyard 


neat by, where they still rest. A monument was erected by 
the same loving hands, to mark the spot. When the church 
was burned in 1778 by the British, nothing, not even the 


_ sacredness of the tomh, escaped their fury. This monument, 


— 


among Others, was entirely defaced. But the church and 
congregation showed their affection for their old pastor and 
friend by erecting another in 1794, which still stands to 
mark the resting place of this devoted servant of God. They 
also ordered the publication of twenty of his sermons. 

The church at the death of Mr. Osgood numbered about 
one hundred and twenty-five. 


TEMPORARY SUPPLIES. 


After the death of Mr. Osgood, and for about four years, 
the church was without any regular pastor. During this 
long time they were supplied by visiting ministers and tem- 
porary supplies, or else, by some one of the deacons or mem- 
bers reading sermons, as had been done during Mr. Osgood’s 
poor health. Among those supplying the pulpit at different 
times, during these four years of vacancy, we find the names 
of Dr. J. J. Zubly, from Savannah, who often visited them; 
also that of Messrs. Gillis, William Tennent, Piercy, Eccles, 
Joseph Cook, Daniel Robarts, and Thomas Hill. Most of 
them preached alternately, and part of the time with seem- 
ing regularity, the church in the meantime not relaxing its 
effort to obtain a minister. Asearly as 1771, in view of 
Mr. Osgood’s declining health, ‘‘a call was made out to be 
sent to the northward to the college in New Jersey, called 
Nassau Hall,” and a letter forwarded to Rev. Dr. Wither- 
spoon, the president, asking his assistance in getting a min- 
ister. Early in 1773, Messrs. Parmenas Way and Benja- 
min Baker were appointed to write frequently to the college 
in New Jersey in behalf of the church respecting the call then 
sent for another minister, and measures proposed for hav- 
ing the gospel preached to them in the meantime. Novem- 

1 Mr. Hill was one of the ministers sent out by Lady Huntingdon into the Province 


of South Carolina. 
2. Pub. Rec. P. 53. 


44. HISTORY OF MIDWAY CHURCH. 


ber 22, 1773, the church agreed to give Mr. Daniel Robarts 


+ 


. 


acall for one year. Mr. Robarts seemed to have been only __ 


a student, perhaps a licentiate, foron the 16th of March 
following it was determined that Mr. Daniel Robarts be de- 
tained and that he officiate by praying, and reading either 
printed, or the Rev. Mr. Osgood’s manuscript, sermons 
among us.”’ So at the annual meeting March 1, 1775, it 
was agreed ‘‘that Mr. Robarts be continued upon trial for 
six months longer, and to allow him five pounds per month, 
he to pray and read to and among us as heretofore, and fol- 
low his studies.’’ At the same meeting Rev. Mr. Zubly was 
invited to supply them once in six weeks, they agreeing to 
furnish him with horses in coming and going, and at thirty 
pounds per year.’’ In May of the same year, it was agreed 
to send a call to Mr. William Schenck, the form of which is 
given upon the records, of which, however, we find nothing 
more said. 

The next effort to obtain a minister was made September 
30, 1776, when it was agreed to send toa gentleman, who 
is now a preacher in Carolina, to visit and preach here with 
the design to give him a call,’”’ and upon his declinature, ‘“‘to * 
write to Dr. Lyman Hall, now at the northward, to en-. 
deavor to get a minister for this place from some of the 
northern provinces.” 

Later on in October they ‘‘agreed to givea call to some 
minister for one year’s trial, and Messrs. Thomas Quarter- 
man, Robert Quarterman and Thomas Baker were appoint- 
ed to carry the call and to offer it to any such preacher, as 
two of them shall agree upon.’’ Said messengers carried 
said call and offered it to Rev. Thomas Henderson, who 
agreed to visit them, which he did and preached for them 
the 8th of December, 1776. 

At acalled theeting at the beginning of the next year, 
(January 8, 1777,) the select men were instructed to write 
to Mr. Henderson and urge him to settle among them. The 
letter was written and sent to Savannah, but for some rea- 
son, was by some recalled without consulting the church. 


1. Pub. Rec. P. 13. 


a 


he: 


MR. ALLEN IMPRISONED. 4 


OV 


After repeated unsuccessful efforts to obtain a preacher, 
and nearly four years of this sort of desultory work, a call 
was made out at the annual meeting in March, 1777, and 
sent to Rev. Moses Allen, a Presbyterian minister then sup- 
plying the Wappetaw church, Carolina, who accepted the 
same, removed to Midway and preached his first sermon 
jane 22 0777. 


CHURCH BURNED. 


The pastorate of Mr. Allen was very short and unsatis- 
factory, lasting only one year, and terminating in the midst 
of disaster and ruin; this being the period of the revolu- 
tionary war, and everything ina more or less disordered 
state. So many of her sons beingin the army, the church 
barely existed till the year 1778, when the invasion from 
_ Florida under Col. J. M. Prevost, resulted in the entire 
breaking up of the church, the burning of the meeting house, 
the destruction of the farms, the dispersion of the people, 
and complete breaking up of the community, which state of 
things continued for four long years. 


MR. ALLEN IMPRISONED. 


Mr. Allen being very active in the cause of the revolution 
made himself very obnoxious to the British. At the fall of 
Savannah December, 1778, he was taken prisoner, and in- 
stead of being sent to Sunbury on parole with the other con- 
tinental officers, he being a commissioned chaplain of the 
Georgia brigade, he was kept on board the prison ship. 
Tired of confinement in his loathsome quarters, on the even- 
ing of February 8, 1779, he sought to escape by throwing 
himself into the river and swimming to an adjacent point, 
but was drowned in the attempt. His body was washed on 
a neighboring island and found by some of his friends, who 
requested a few boards of the captain of a British vessel to 
make a coffin, but was unable to procure them. 


46 HISTORY OF MIDWAY CHURCH. 


i REV. MOSES ALLEN. 


Mr. Allen was born in Northampton, Mass., September 
14, 1748, graduated at the college in New Jersey in 1772, 
licensed by the Presbytery of New Brunswick Feb. 1, 1774, 
and recommended by them as ‘‘an energetic, prudent and 
pious man.’’ On his way south he spent some days with 
his friend, James Madison, of Virginia, afterwards president, 
where he was solicited to pass the winter. He was ordained 
pastor of the Independent or Congregational church at Wap- 
petaw, Christ’s Parish, South Carolina, March 16, 1775, 
by Rev. Messrs. Zubly, Edmonds and William Tennent. Af 
ter two years he preached his farewell sermon to that peo- 
ple June &, 1777, and removed to Midway and died as above 
stated after a short pastorate of only a year, at thirty years 
of age.! . E 

Concerning his gift and power as a minister I have been 
unable to find out anything. He married Elizabeth Oding- 
sell, whose sister, Mary, was the wife of Gen. James Screven. 
After the death of her husband, Mrs. Allen married Mr. 
Elisha Lee, of Great Barrington, Berkshire, Mass., and died 
December 11, 1843, in the eighty-fifth year of her age. One 
of the family descendants of Rev. Moses Allen, Mrs. H. H. 
Dyer, a grand neice, is still living in Rutland, Vermont. 


1. Howe’s His. P. 377 and Church Record, 


THE DISPERSION. AT 


CHAPTER Y; 


FROM THE DISPERSION TILL THE DIS- 
MEMBERMENT. 


We here pause a moment, to call attention to the fact, that 
up to this time we see nothing worthy of note in the history 
of this people, except the element of trouble. Like their an- 
cestors and many of themselves, who were driven from their 
old homes in England, with the sea passage, both to Caro- 
lina and from thence to Georgia, stormy and tempestuous, 
they too were driven from their homes after years of hard- 
ships and trials attendant upon settlement in a new coun- 
- try, pre-occupied by a savage and hostile foe. In addition 
to frequent sickness and death, occasioned by the malarial 
character of the country, they lived in constant dread of 
- their Indian neighbors, the records showing that some of 

them being actually put to death by these heartless savages. 
Following upon all this was the invasion of the British ar- 
my, the subjugation of the country, the desolations of their 
homes, the destruction of their crops and property, the burn- 
ing of their house of worship, the dispersion of the people, 
only a few being left and they constantly subject to the in- 
sult and violence of marauding bands of Tories and lawless 
men, and all ending in the complete devastation of the coun- 
_ty for four long years. These were the principal ingredients 
in the cup thus far, eloquently but pathetically set forth in 
the naming by one of the members, of his son, ‘‘Ichabod,”’ 
“the glory has departed.”” But like Israel of old in the wil- 
derness, and afterwards in their dispersion; like the Cove- 
nanters of Scotland, the Huguenots of France, or like Moses 
at Midian, and Paulin Arabia, this was but the prepara- 
tory stage. Allthis was part of the training necessary to 
prepare them for their grand mission. Humiliation always 


Abe . 7S / “eh UR a) bd ee lar ian & Ay 
fe x a ae ter 
Ala 


48 HISTORY OF MIDWAY CHURCH. 


precedes exaltation. The cross first, the crown afterwards. F <s 
God’s plan is usually to prepare His people by a baptism of — 
suffering for every great work. Thus it was in the case of 

this people, as we shall hereafter see. 


THE RETURN. 


The smoke of battle having passed away and peace de- 
clared, after a long and sanguinary struggle lasting for sey- 
en years, and resulting in the independence of the American 
Colonies, these people began in 1782, after four years, dis- 
persion and oppression, to return to their old homes and 
commenced rebuilding their houses, which had been burned, 
and repair their farms, which had been desolated. They 
were not unmindful, however, of their spiritual interest, for 
this had always been first with them, as with their ances- 
tors. Continuous and coextensive with suffering we have © 
always perceived an ever constant and accompanying 
stream of piety in the life of this people: as prayer and fast- 
ing before leaving Plymouth, England, daily religious ser- 
vices on board the ship while crossing the Atlantic, prayer 
and fasting before the ordination of Mr. Lord, prayer on 
the beech before leaving for Carolina, day of special prayer 
and fasting on board the brigantine Friendship, frequent 
days of fasting and prayer before and after their departure 
from Carolina, as well as numerous seasons of thanksgiy- 
ing. True therefore to this instinct of their nature, they 
began very early looking around for a minister to break to 
them the bread of life. In the year 1783, and before the re- 
building of the church, a number of the members having re- 
turned, it was agreed that a call should be given Rev. James 
Gourlay, a native of Scotland, and a Presbyterian minister 
about fifty years of age, and at that time settled at Stoney 
Creek church, Carolina; and though in a crippled and em- 
poverished condition, they offered a salary of one hundred 
and fifty pounds. The call being presented, an encouraging 
answer was received. Mr. Thomas Quarterman was ap- 
pointed to wait upon Mr. Gourlay and urge him to accept 
the same. Uvon his return Mr. Quarterman reported that 


SEEKING A PASTOR. 49 


_ among the objections made by Mr. Gourlay, the most ma- 
terial was the probable division in the church upon the 
_ question of location of the church building, which had al- 
ways been an occasion of divided sentiment, but gave it as 
his opinion that if the question of location was settled at 


q once he would immediately accept the call, whereupon the 
a society was called together and the vote taken, and by a 
a majority of one it was determined that the house should be 
: built upon the ground where the old one stood. The call 
8 was renewed, accompanied with the statement of the fact 
_..__ that the question of location was definitely settled. But a 


letter was soon received from Mr. Gourlay, ‘wherein he ab- 
solutely refused accepting our call.’’" The question was then 
BS: at once raised whether they should make application to 
Scotland or the northern states for a minister. ‘Carried by 
a majority that application be made to the northward.” 
j Wherefore it was agreed that the select men should write a 
A letter to the Rev. Mr. Hart asking him to endeavor to in- 
fluence some young minister to come and settle among 
_ them. In the meanwhile hearing of a young man, Mr. Abiel 
Holmes, intending for the ministry and teaching school in 
» Carolina, the select men were authorized at a meeting in 
___ May, 1784, to open correspondence with him with a view 
_ to his settlement among them to preach for one year. 

Bi Mr. Holmes having signified his acceptance of the call, in 
Ri: August following (1784) commenced preaching among 
Ke them, and being only a licentiate, in the following year, 
September 15, 1785, was, upon the request of the church, 
ordained in the chapel at Yale College, Rev. Levi Hart 
preaching the ordination sermon, from Galatians I:10, Rev. 
Dr. Ezra Stiles offering the ordaining prayer, Rev. Rr. Wil- 
liams giving the charge, and Rev. Warham Williams the 
right hand of fellowship. 

a After preaching one year, Mr. Holmes’ health becoming 
impaired, he went to the north and instead of returning in 
; the fall, as he intended, he made arrangement with his friend, 
Mr., afterwards Rev. Dr. Jedidiah Morse, then a tutor in 


1. Mr. Gourlay, it seems, visited the church, as the Record shows he baptized some 
children August 28, 1785. 


50 HISTORY OF MIDWAY CHURCH, 


Yale College, by which an exchange of duties and place was” : 
temporarily effected, Mr. Holmes taking his place in the tu- 


torship and the church agreeing ‘‘to pay the salary of Mr. 
Holmes to the time of his arrival to the northward,” and 
that of Mr. Morse from the time he set off to go to them, 
and to continue one month after leaving.1 Mr. Morse was 
ordained November 9, 1786, and next day set sail for Geor- 
gia, where he remained six months. Mr. Holmes remained 
tutor for a year and then returned to his charge in Novem- 
ber, 1787, where he remained four years more, (six in all) 


till 1791, when he returned north and accepted the pastor-~ 


ate of the church at Cambridge, Mass., and installed pastor 
January 28, 1792, and continued in that relation for forty 
years, till his death, which occurred June 4, 1837. 

In connection with the call and acceptance of Dr. Holmes, 
the society resolved to erect a house of worship in place of 
the one that had been burned. Not yet being in condition 
to put up such an one as they desired, they resolved to erect 
a coarse building, which was intended to be only temporary, 
forty by thirty feet, with posts in the ground and the sides 
filled with poles, with three doors, with them the prevailing 
style. It was in this house Dr. Holmes spent his entire min- 
istry of six years. At the same time it was agreed to have 
the Vestry house rebuilt. It was also found necessary the 
following year(1785) to build an addition of twelve feet to 
the east side and a shelter of the same width on the south 
end for the negroes. The parsonage was erected in 1789. 

In 1790, six vears after the erection of the coarse struct- 
ure above mentioned, the question of a more commodious 
house of worship was considered and determined. This 
building, however, was not erected till two years after- 
wards(1792). The resignation and removal of Mr. Holmes, 
their pastor, the vear following doubtless had much to do 
with the delay, and this the more so on account of the some- 
what hurried and precipitate manner of his leaving. From 
the tone of the correspondence the church seemed somewhat 
aggrieved at his leaving. Having determined to go, he 


1. Howe’s His. Vol. II, P. 40, and Chureh Record. 


REY. ABIEL HOLMES, D. D. 


‘ REY. ABIEL HOLMES, D. D. ot 


called together as many of the church and congregation as 


he could, and submitted his resignation, giving the health of 


__ his family as the reason for the request, and asking his dis- 
-missal, which those present could but feel bound to grant. 


Upon writing to them afterwards and offering to return and 
fill out the unexpired year and make a formal leave, the se- 
lect men were instructed to reply that he was released from 
further obligations, it being adjudged unnecessary and un- 
wise to impose such a burden and expense for such a_ short 
service. 

‘The membership of the church at the close of Dr. Holmes’ 
ministry was one hundred and forty-seven. 


REY. ABIEL HOLMES, D. D. 


Rev. Abiel Holmes, D. D., was born in Woodstock, Conn., 
December 24, 1763. His father was a physician and served 
as captain during the warin Canada. He graduated at 
Yale College September 10, 1783, and for six years was pastor 
of Midway church. It was during his pastorate that Presi- 
dent Washington visited Georgia, and the church and _ socie- 
ty appointed a committee to address him a letter. Dr. 
Holmes was one of the committee. It was also under 
his ministry that the Library society was revived, of which 
he was president, Thos. Stevens librarian, Wm. Quarterman 
treasurer, and Jno. Elliott clerk. Dr. Holmes was twice 
married. His first wife was Mary, the daughter of President 
Ezra Stiles, married August 29, 1790. His second was Sarah 
Wendall, daughter of Oliver Wendall. Of this marriage 
were five children born, of whom the celebrated Oliver Wen- 
dall Holmes, novelist and writer, was the third, born in 
Cambridge, Mass., August 29,1809, and died in Boston 
October 7, 1894. After the death of President Stiles, his 
father-in-law, a great many of his manuscripts were placed 
in his hands for publication. But his Annals, contained in 
two volumes, the work of his later years, will ever remain a 
monument to his erudition and research. 


52 HISTORY .OF MIDWAY CHURCH. | 


REY. CYRUS GILDERSLEEVE. 


After the departure of Mr. Holmes, the church being with- 
out a minister applied to the church at Sunbury for part of 
the services of Rev. Reuben Hitchcock, a Congregational 
minister, who was at that time a teacher in the town and 
preaching to them. According to agreement entered into, 
he was to supply the Midway church once in three weeks. 
He began preaching to them July 31, 1791, and continued 
through the rest of the year. In the mean time Mr. Cyrus 
Gildersleeve visited them, doubtless upon the recommenda- 
tion of Dr. Rogers, of New York, to whom they had written, 
‘‘requesting him to use his endeavors to prevail with some 
gospel minister to come and settle among them.’’ Mr. Gil- 
dersleeve was a native of South Orange, New Jersey, a grad- 
uate of Nassau Hall, and a licentiate of the Presbytery of 
New Brunswick. He commenced preaching to them Decem- — 
ber 11,1791. At the annual meeting in March of next year 
a regular call was extended to him and upon the solicitation 
of the church, he went north and was ordained by the Pres- 
bytery of New Brunswick, with special reference to the work 
at Midway, to which place he returned in the fall, and 
where he remained laboring successfully for more than nine- 
teen years. During this long pastorate the church grew 
gradually in numbers, but more in influence and strength, 
the work of Mr. Holmes being ina great measure prepara- 
tory toit. Having taken charge just after the dispersion, 
at the close of the war, with everything in a broken down 
and dilapidated condition, he spent his ministry principally in 
repairing the ruins and getting ready for the work of hissuc- 
cessor. When Mr. Gildersleeve came, therefore, he found ev- 
erything in readiness for an onward march. It was about 
this time the people began to discontinue the culture of rice, — 
and also to remove to summer resorts for health, which ma- 
terially reduced the rate of mortality. It was-during this 
time the large and more comfortable house of worship was 
erected, which still stands, though rapidly going to decay, 
the preparatory steps, however, having all bee; taken the 
year before, Mr. Holmes having spent his entire ministry in 


REV. CYRUS GILDERSLEEVE. 


, 


MR. GILDERSLEEVE’S LETTER. 53 


_ the coarse temporary building put up during the war. The 


records of the church show large and yearly accessions to 


the membership. We see, too, mention made of the addition 


of a bell and lightning rods, working upon the gallery, paint- 
ing the house, and other signs of improvement; also increase 
of pay of sexton, precentor, and clerk, as well as salary of 
minister, which was ‘raised from £130 to $800, exclusive of 
the rent of the glebe. It was during his ministry that the 
project of establishing a County Academy was considered 
and determined upon; also towards the close of his ministry 
that the church took action looking to the enlargement of 
the cemetery and inclosing the same with a substantial 
brick wall, the work, however, not completed until after he 
had left, and during the ministry of his successor. Thenum- 
ber of church members at the close of the ministry of Dr. 
Holmes was one hundred and forty-seven. The number re- 
ported in 1797, five years after, was one hundred and fifty- 


nine. According to the same rate of increase, the number of 


white members at the close of his ministry could not have 
been less than one hundred and eighty. 

After a successful ministry of over nineteen years, Mr. Gil- 
dersleeve tendered his resignation in the following communi- 
cation: 


DECEMBER 15, 1810. 


My Dear Brethren :—\ have to communicate only that which must al- 
ready be known to you in an individual capacity : that is, my expectation of a 
permanent removal, in the ensuing spring, from the dear people of my charge, 
with whom my best days have been spent, and my union to whom hath become 
strong by the growth of my days. My one and only reason for this arrange- 
ment is that I may be with my dear children and have them ina healthy clime. 
Whether the reason be sufficient or not before God, is more than I am able 
positively to determine. It has been the subject of many sober thoughts tor 
some months past, and it seems to be one of those cases in which the path 
of duty is less plain than I could desire. I would have been willing to have 
deferred this communication a few weeks longer, but it being possible that 
you may have to take immediate steps to obtain a supply, that there may be 
no intermission in the ordinances of religion among you, have judged it 
proper to delay no longer. While doubts, whether my own health will be as 
good in another climate, in connection with the consideration of the many 


~ strong ties that must be broken by a removal, compel me to hesitate, it is 


54 HISTORY OF MIDWAY CHURCH. 


—— $$ 


~S 


my desire that you will neglect no measures, that may seem meet to your is 


wisdom to procure a gospel minister, for I cannot at this time promise a 
continuance with you. May Heavendirect in answer to your prayers and 
bless you in a matter so important to your religious welfare. 1 am _ with 
great regard, your brother and obedient servant in a precious Christ, 


CyRUS GILDERSLEEVE. 
To the Select Men of Midway Church and Society. 


In the above letter the only reason assigned is that ‘he 
might be with his dear children, and have them ina healthy 
clime.’’ As he seemed himself to have some doubt in his own 
mind whether the reason would be sufficient before God, we 
might be allowed to express some doubt in this same direc- 
tion. : 

Upon the reception of the letter, a meeting of the church 
was called, a committee was appointed to wait upon Mr. 
Gildersleeve and see if he could not consent to return the 
next fall and continue as their minister, but declining to 
make any such promise, the church reluctantly accepted the 
resignation. Mr. Gildersleeve, after the relinquishment of 
his charge, removed to New Jersey, and soon after was set- 
tled over the church in Bloomfield. He died in Elizabeth- 
town in that state in 1838, aged about sixty-nine years. - 

He was twice married, first to Mrs. Renchie Elliott, Jan. 
1, 1793, formerly Miss Renchie Norman, who had herself 
been twice married before, first to Thomas Quarterman, 
March 29, 1787, and secondly to Senator John Elhiott, July 
1,1790. His second marriage was to Mrs. Frances C. Wil- 
kinson, nee Kennedy, May 12, 1805, and who died Feb. 1, 
1856, and was buried in Bloomfield. 


REV. MURDOCH MURPHY. 


Upon the resignation of Mr. Gildersleeve, the church invi- 
ted Mr. Murdoch Murphy to preach to them for one year. 
Mr. Murphy at the time seemed to be preaching in the up- 
per part of the'county at Cannouchee, and withineasy reach. 
Hence the proposition of some to accede to the offer of Mr. 
Gildersleeve to remain and preach to them till May or June 
of next year, leaving it an open question whether he would 


i 


On 


REV. MURDOCH MURPHY. 5 


return or not in’ the fall, which being negatived, the second 
proposition was adopted, that Mr. Murphy be invited to 
become their minister, and that Mr. Gildersleeve be requested 
to preach to them until April next, ‘‘as Mr. Murphy’s en- 
gagement at Cannouchee would not expire until that time.” 

At first, the choice of Mr. Murphy did not seem to give en- 
tire satisfaction. He was chosen only by a vote of twenty- 
eight to thirteen. At the regular meeting in March, 1811, 
as there was dissatisfaction on the part of a considerable 
portion of the congregation, it was agreed by a majority 
that the select men ‘‘take timely measures to procure a min- 
ister from Scotland to officiate in this church, commencing 
on the second Wednesday in March, 1812,’’ the time to 
which Mr. Murphy had been called. This action, however, 
was rescinded at a called meeting held two months later. 
In a short while all opposition to Mr. Murphy seemed to 
have subsided and he continued minister for nearly thirteen 
years, the people in the meantime showing their apprecia- 
tion of his services by voting an assessment of seventy-five 
cents upon each seat, to raise $200 to procure a library for 
him, and their willingness to sell the glebe land in the lower 
part of the county, and for his better accommodation to in- 
vest the proceeds in the purchase of the plantation of Gen. 
Stewart in Goshen swamp, for a glebe for the use of the min- 
ister, and the increase of the salary from $800 to $1,000 per 
year, and that too in view of his intimation that he was 
about to leave them, and as an inducement for him to re- 
main. At the annual meeting in 1818, he stated his inten- 
tion to remove at the end of the year. The church voted to 
continue him for six months, and appointed a committee to 
wait upon him and induce him to remain, and alsoincreased 
his salary as above stated. The committee reported in a 
few days to acalled meeting and stated the terms upon 
which he would remain, to which they cheerfully agreed, 
viz: ‘that they would allow him the privilege of visiting his 
friends six or eight weeks once in every two years, and 
this absence to be at a season when the church and society 
are at their respective summer resorts.’’ Mr. Murphy 
continued four years longer, and again tendered hls resigna- 


56 HISTORY OF MIDWAY CHURCH, 


tion at the annual meeting in 1822, to take place in the fall. ie 
The church appointed a committee again to wait upon him ~ 


as before, but he being persistent in his purpose, the church 
accepted his resignation and proceeded to elect Rey. Robert 
Quarterman as his successor. 


REV. MURDOCH MURPHY. 


Concerning the early life of Mr. Murphy we know little. 
He came from the Carolinas, but must have been a native of 
Scotland, or of Scotch parentage, for he could:speak the 
Gaelic, and used to make occasional visits to a Gaelic settle- 
ment upon the Altamaha river, in the county of Montgom- 
ery, and conducted the second service in that tongue for 
their special benefit, the old house used for the purpose 
standing for a number of years after, and pointed out as a 
relic of the past. He was a licentiate of Orange Presbytery, 
N. C., and being appointed in October, 1804, by the Synod 
of the Carolinas, as a missionary for the part of South Car- 
olina, was received by the Presbytery of South Carolina 
March 15, 1805. Having received a call from the Black 
River church, Georgetown district, was ordained and in- 
stalled pastor of that church May 17, 1805, Rev. Geo. G. 
McWhorter preaching the sermon and Dr. Stephenson pro- 
pounding the questions and delivering the charge to the peo- 
ple. He was dismissed back to the Presbytery of Orange 
March 2, 1809, and received into Harmony Presbytery at 
Savannah December 7, 1811. After this he seemed to have 
returned to Robeson county, N. C., from whence he was 
called to preach to the Revivalist or New/ight party of the 
Red Bluff church, Little Peedee River, Marlboro district, N. 
C., and on a different day from Mr. Colin Lindley’s appoint- 
ment. The congregation being divided over the religious 
excitement of the times, it is said the Antirevivalist or Old 
Light party built a wall around the church. The keeper of 
the key (Mr. John McKay) leaped over the fence and opened 
the door to Mr. Murphy, who held services and without 
further interruption. He continued to hold services at pri- 


1. Howe’s His. Vol. II, P. 74. = 


; 


REV. MURDOCH MURPHY. Pe 


_ vate houses until a new house of worship was erected by the 
-Revivalists, a mile and a halfaway. The new organization 
was called Sharon church.! Soon afterwards Mr. Murphy 
came to Georgia. It was during his ministry that the brick 
wall was built around the Midway graveyard, and also a 
subscription opened for repairing and repainting the 
house of worship. The only specimen of his preaching that 
has fallen into my hands, is his funeral sermon at the death 
of Rey. Thos. S. Winn, Baptist minister, preached at Mid- 
way church January 28, 1819, which sermon was published. 
If that be taken as a specimen, he must have been a man of 
fine parts, for it is replete with fine thoughts strongly ex- 
pressed. He also preached a sermon before the Presbytery 
of Alabama on Female Benevolence, which was highly com- 
plimented by the Presbytery, and ordered published.? This 
I have never seen. He must have been a rigid disciplinarian 
from the following incident told me: ‘‘During the lingering 
illness of Major John Winn, one of the members had a dance 
at her house, and Mr. Murphy said, ‘that will never do, nev- 
er do,’ and upon his suggestion the church dealt with the 
recalcitrant member, which gave the complete quietus to 
that amusement for one whole generation.’’ Dr. Howe, in 
his history, speaks of him as ‘‘a man of many virtues.’’ He 
; resigned his charge at Midway in 1823. After leaving Lib- 
erty county he emigrated to Alabama, that he might spend 
the remainder of his days with his brother John,® who was 
, living there, and afterwards governor of that state, from 
; 1825 to 1829. While there he preached in the bounds of Al- 
‘ abama Presbytery, joining the same November, 1826. 
About this time he removed to Spring Hill, near Mobile, and 
continued to preach in and around that place, he being one 
of the pioneer ministers, whose labors led to the organiza- 
tion of the Government Street Presbyterian church, March 
payee’ He died February 8, 1833. 


1. Howe’s His. Vol. Il, P, 73. 2. Ms. Letter of Rev. T. S. Winu. 3. Wilson’s Nec- 
rol, P. 255, 4. Burgett’s His. Dis. 


58 HISTORY OF MIDWAY CHURCH. 


REV. ROBERT QUARTERMAN. 


Upon the resignation of Mr. Murphy, the eyes of the 
church were at once turned to Rev. Robert Quarterman, a 
native born son of the church, who for a number of years 
had been an acceptable deacon in the same, and who at that 
time was a licentiate of the Presbytery of Georgia and 
preaching at Claiborne, Alabama. A man in the prime vig- 
or and maturity of manhood, with a family, being then in 
the thirty-sixth year of his age. Having accepted the posi- 
tion, he was ordained and installed pastor of the church by 
the Presbytery of Georgia, which met at Midway May 27, 
1823, and continued pastor twenty-six years, until his death 
in 1849, living all that time in the faithful discharge of duty, 
honored and revered by all, and of whom we willspeak more 
particularly when enumerating the native ministers of the 
church. 


RETREATS AND CO-PASTORS. 


As the colony increased, and the localities first occupied in 
the midst of the swamp lands proving to be unhealthy, dif- 
ferent settlements began to be formed in the upper and high- 
er parts of the county, to which the planters would take 
their families during the sickly months of summer, returning 
again after frost to their plantations, each going to the re- 
treat most contiguous and convenient to his farm. Sunbu-— 
ry, being on the Salts, had already become the home of many, 
at which place a branch church seems to have been organ- 
ized and supplied by Rev. Reuben Hitchcock, a Congrega- 
tional minister, and who also had charge of the academy at. 
that place; but being inconvenient to many by reason of the 
distance, it was necessary to search for other places contig- 
uous to the different sections. So we find settlements made 
at what was first known as the ‘‘Sand Hills,’’ some fifteen 
miles southwest of Midway, afterwards named Walthour- 
ville, in honor of Mr. Andrew Walthour, a wealthy planter, 
who first settled the place; and at ‘‘Gravel Hill,” eleven 
miles to the northwest, afterwards named Flemington, after 


REV. ROBERT QUARTERMAN. 


RETREATS AND PASTORS. ) 59 


Mr. William Fleming, its first settler, and also one of the 
deacons of the church. So the people in the neighborhood 
of Riceboro, on the south, went across Bulltown swamp in- 
to the edge of McIntosh county and formed a settlement 
there in the piney woods, some eight miles from the church, 
and named it ‘‘Jonesville,”’ in honor of Mr. Samuel Jones, its 
first settler. Some few of the families also settled at Can- 
nouchee Bluff and Taylor’s Creek, still further northward 
and on higher ground; and later on, after the decline and 
abandonment of Sunbury, on account of its increasing un- 
healthiness, at the little village of Dorchester, about half 
way between Sunbury and Midway church. To these places 
the people would go during the summer months, but re- 
turning to their farm homes in the winter; thus the congre- 
gation became very much scattered. Instead of one, there 
were three, and part of the time four, of these localities from 
fifteen to fifty families in them. As might have been antici- 
pated, on account of the inconvenience and expense of mov- 
ing so often, many began to remain permanently at these 
retreats, and soon commenced building academies and after- 
wards church edifices, and on account of the difficulty of at- 
‘tending at Midway, soon began to clamor for services at 
these other places. The absolute necessity of more minis- 
ters than one soon became apparent, as in the case of Rev. 
Mr. Edmonds assisting Mr. Osgood after the establishment 
of Sunbury. So it was determined to employ a colleague 
and co-pastor to Rev. Robert Quarterman. 


REV. 1. S. K. AXSON. 


In March, 1836, Rev. I. S. K. Axson, a native of Charles- 
ton, born October 8, 1813, who had been licensed and or- 
dained by the Charleston Presbytery in 1834, and who was 
then and had been supplying the old Dorchester church, 
South Carolina, for two years, was invited to settle as col- 
league. He accepted the position, removed to Liberty 
county, and preached his first sermon at Midway, April 29, 
1836, and in connection with Rev. Robert Quarterman, sup- 
plying the different retreats in connection with Midway. It 


60 HISTORY OF MIDWAY CHURCH. 


» 


will be borne in mind that at that time there were different © 
organizations, but but simply preaching places, the ordi- 

nances still being dispensed at Midway. The plan at first 

being to hold services at that place every Sabbath by one of 
the ministers, but as the number of families going to these 

retreats increased, services were held at that church only 

through the winter months, at least two-thirds of the min- 

isters’ time being given to the retreats. So it being in- 

convenient for the members to go to that place to have their 

children baptized, it was agreed'that this ordinance be ad- 

ministered by the pastors at these different retreats, but no~ 
such relaxation was ever allowed as to the communion ser- _ 
vice, or the reception of members. These were always at- 

tended to at the old church. There the annual 

meetings of the society were held, there members were re- 

ceived, and there, four times in the year, the members from 

all parts of the county expected to meet for the breaking of 
bread. 

Mr. Axson continued co-pastor until the death of Mr. ~ 
Quarterman in 1849, when he became senior pastor, and so ~ 
remained, greatly beloved and endeared to all till his health 
failed, being afflicted with a throat trouble, which placed 
him under the necessity of tendering his resignation. The 
church, unwilling to accept it, granted him a vacation in 
1851, being temporarily supplied by Rev. R. M. 
Baker, a native of Liberty, and one of her sons. Mr. Ax- 
son’s ill health still continuing, he was in 1852 relieved of 
duty, with a continuance of his salary, and Rev. John Winn, 
missionary to the colored people, being employed for half 
his time during the larger part of the year 1853. Still con- — 
tinuing infirm, in the fall of this year Mr. Axson agam ten- 
dered his resignation, which the church most reluctantly ac- 
cepted. Being released, he removed to the up country, 
thinking the climate would be advantageous to his health, 
and became president of the Female college at Greensboro, 
Georgia, in 1854, and in addition to his duties, preaching 
at different times to the churches of Greensboro, Madison, 
and Washington, tillcalled to the pastorate of the Inde- 


REY. I. S: K. AXSON, D.D.: 


RETREATS AND PASTORS. 61 


pendent Presbyterian church of Savannah sin 1857, which 
position he ably and acceptably filled till the time of his 
death. 

Dr. Axson excelled asa preacher. The pulpit was em- 
phatically his throne. He always brought beaten oil into 
the sanctuary. His invariable custom was to use the manu- 
script, which was quite acceptable to the people, who had 
always been trained to that method of delivery, and which 
he handled with a great deal of skill. Making his home at 
Jonesville, from six to twenty miles distant from the greater 
portion of his field, and a hard student withal, it could 
hardly be expected that he could do much pastoral visiting. 
They felt amply compensated, however, for the deprivation 
in the interesting and instructive discourses with which he 
favored them. As evidence of his pulpit gifts, and at the 
same time proof of his modesty and deep devotion to his 
people, it need only be stated, that though receiving flatter- 
ing calls to larger fields, as Charleston, Macon, and Colum- 
bus, he invariably declined them all; and it seemed necessa- 
_ ry that the hand of affliction should be put upon him in or- 
der to remove him to alarger field. After a pastorate in 
Savannah of thirty-four years, universally respected and be- 
loved, as in his former field, Dr. Axson died there March 31, 
1891, in the 79th year of hisage. The funeral, though on a 
rainy day, was largely attended. His remains were buried 
at Laurel Hill cemetery in that city. 


REV. THOMAS SUMNER WINN. 


After the failure of Rev. Mr. Quarterman’s health in 1847, 
he was retired as honorary pastor with an annuity of $400, 
and the church and society met to elect a successor as col- 
league to Mr. Axson. Several names were put in nomina- 
tion. After several ballotings, Rev. Thomas Sumner Winn, 
one of the sons of the church and regular descendant of the 
first pastor, Rev. John Osgood, was elected, and he entered 
upon his labors as co-pastor with Mr. Axson in February, 
1848. 

After the resignation of Mr. Axson, in 1853, Mr. Winn be- 


62 HISTORY OF MIDWAY CHURCH. 


. Came senior pastor, and being left alone, the church secured — 
temporarily the partial services of his brother, Rev. John 
Winn, at that time missionary to the colored people. 

In 1854 the church elected as colleague to Mr. Winn, Rev., 
afterwards Dr. D. L. Buttolph, a native of Norwich, N. Y., 
a graduate of Williams College and Columbia Seminary, and 
who was then assisting Rev. Dr. Thomas Smyth, paator of 
the second church, Charleston, S. C. 

Mr. Buttolph had scarcely* commenced his labors as co- 
pastor when Mr. Winn, the senior pastor, the next year, 
1855, tendered his resignation, after serving the church ac- 
ceptably for seven vears, and removed to Hale county, Ala- 
bama, to accept the pastorate ofa group of churches, to 
which he had been called, and which he continued to serve 
for forty years. Thechurch and congregation of Midway 
were unwilling to accept his resignation and asked him to 
withdraw it, but upon his refusal to accede to their request, 
nothing was left on part of the church but to accept it, 
which they did with reluctance. Mr. Winn’s pastorate ex- 
tended from February, 1848, to February, 1855. We will 
speak of his labors more fully on a future page. 


S SUMNER WINN. 


L 


REV. THOM 


WALTHOURVILLE CHURCH. 63 


CHAPTER VI. 


FROM THE DISMEMBERMENT TILL THE 
DISSOLUTION. 


THE DISMEMBERMENT. 


The resignation of Mr. Winn was soon followed by an 
event, which for some time had been foreseen, and which, 
though necessary, was very much regretted, as it was the 
beginning of dismemberment of the old church, and too 
clearly foreshadowing what was to bein the future. That 
event was the organization of the Walthourville church. 


WALTHOURVILLE CHURCH. 


The population of Walthourville, one of the four retreats, 
having increased considerably, and it being so inconvenient, 
if not impossible, for the people to go so far (15 miles) to 
attend upon the ordinances of the sanctuary, it was deemed 
advisable by the members residing there, to have a separate 
and independent organization of theirown. Accordingly a 
letter was sent to the session of Midway church, signed by 
sixteen of the more prominent members, and asking for a 
separate organization. The letter was written in the spirit 
of brotherly love, and was answered in the same kind and 
conciliatory spirit, as appears from the following corres- 
pondence: 


WALTHOURVILLE, March 12, 1855 


To the Midway Congregational Society, Brethren and Friends: 

The period having arrived, which was deemed by the undersigned a_ prop- 
er time for a separation from your ancient and excellent association, we 
cannot take our farewell of you without expressing our regret and affection, 
and reassuring you that our action proceeds only from necessities. which are 


64. _ HISTORY OF DAY CHURCH. 


beyond our control. The oreat distance of our community from Midway. 
precludes the possibility of a regular attendance upon the administration of 
the sanctuary. This sad privation is felt particularly by our aged, our 
youths and our servants; and the growing prospects of our village demand 
that we should secure the more constant and permanent influences of pas- 
toral supervision and Sabbath services. And these important ends cannot 
be properly attained without the organization of a church and the settlement 
of a minister in our midst. 

Thus you have in a tew words our reasons for desiring an association 
of our own, and we feel persuaded that you wlll appreciate our motives, and 
regard our action as a peaceful withdrawal for the most worthy ends. We 
do not leave you to go far hence into a strange country, but as a branch to 
be nurtured under the shadow of the present vine, a youthful colony to be 
cherished by a fostering mother, we feel that in’ many respects we shall 
still be one with our parent church ; one in the fond memories, the cherished 
associations, and the sacred history of the past; one in the commingling 
dust of our fathers; one in the kindred efforts to build up the kingdom of 
our Lord and Redeemer, and to transmit to our offspring an open Bible, a 
pure gospel, an evangelical ministry, an orthodox creed, and an active and 
spotless church. In taking leave of you, therefore, we earnestly ask your 
blessing and best wishes, and that you would unite with us in fervently 
praying that our separation may be overruled to the benefit of both church- 
es, and the promotion of pure religion throughout our bounds. 

Yours very truly and respectfully, 


EUGENE BACON, J. P. STEVENS, C. B. JONEs, 

W. Q. BAKER, R. Y. QUARTERMAN, Tuos. S. MALLARD, 
D. A. MILLER, G. T. HANDLEY, Jos. QUARTERMAN, 
P, W. FLEMING, A. S. QUARTERMAN, Wo. F. Way, 

T. W. QUARTERMAN, = J. N. MILEER, H. M. STEVENS, 


THOS. QUARTERMAN, 


REPLY. 


MARCH 25, 1856. — 

To the Walthourville Church and Society, Dear Brethren and Friends: 
Your communication of the 12th of March, 1855. to the Midway Congre- 
gational Society was duly received and acted upon at our annual meeting 
of last year. A committee was appointed to respond to your letter, which, 
from some misunderstanding of the committee, they have failed todo. The 
undersigned have been appointed at our subsequent meeting to respond to 
your communication, and to express in an especial manner our sincere re- 
gret at the apparent neglect. And we would say in the outset, your com- 
munication has been received in the very kindest spirit in which it was 
written, and although we exceedingly regret your separation from us, yet 
your reasons for so doing are good and sufficient, and apparent to us all, 
and we do appreciate the motives that prompted you to this action; and as 


- 
a Sh 


WALTHOURVILLE CHURCH. G5 


fu 
~ 


you say, “we do not leave you to go far hence into a strange country, but as 
a branch to be nourished under the shadow, a youthful colony to. be_cher- 
ished by a fostering mother.” So we hope we shall ever continue to feel 
that we are one people. We would therefore bid you God speed and wish 
to pray that you may become a large and flourishing vine, a pure and Godly 
church, whose members will feel individually called upon to be actively en- 
gaged in their Master’s cause, to endure hardship as good soldiers of Jesus 
Christ. And although we may be fighting under different captains and in 
separate companies, yet we trust we shall be cheered on by the presence of 
the great Captain of our salvation, until our warfare shall be ended, and we 
hear the plaudit, ‘Well done good and faithful servant, enter thou into the 
joy of thy Lord.” 

Very respectfully and sincerely we remain your brethren in Christ, 


ES TAO, 
W. E. W. QUARTERMAN, ¢ Committee. 
Jos. R. BACON, 


In accordance with the above request thirty-three of the 
members of Midway church were dismissed to be organized 
into a separate and independent church. 

Those who were thus dismissed met May 19, 1855, to de- 
termine what form of government they would adopt, the 
form of the mother church being Congregational. After a 
lengthy and exhaustive discussion lasting two hours, the 
vote was taken which stood: For Presbyterianism, 22; for 
Congregationalism, 2. 

The vote was afterwards made unanimous. Thus the 
Presbyterian form of government became the government of 
this new organization. 

Upon application to the Georgia Presbytery, the church 
was organized on Friday, July 27, 1855, by a committee of 
the Presbytery, consisting of Rev.C. C. Jones, D. D., Rev. 
John Jones and Rev. D. L. Buttolph. There were also pres- 
ent as visitors Rev. John Winn, Rev. Donald Fraser and li- 
centiate R. Q. Mallard. 

The following are the persons signing the petition to the 
Presbytery, and who were at that time constituted into a 
church: 


66 HISTORY OF MIDWAY CHURCH. Ree 
NAMES. 


Mrs. Thos. Quarterman, Miss Mary E. Miller, Miss H. A. Newell, 


Mrs. S. H. Quarterman, Mrs. E. R. Winn, Mr. W. Quarterm’n Baker 
Miss H. A. Quarterman, Mrs. Mary Bacon, Mr. Thos. Quarterman, 
Miss C. C. Quarterman, Mrs. Sarah S. Way, Mr. Eugene Bacon, 
Mrs. James N. Jones, Mrs. Lydia Laing, Mr. David A. Miller, 
Mrs. Harriet S. Handley,Mrs.S. M. Quarterman, Mr. Joseph N. Miller, | 
Mrs. Jane A. Fleming, Mrs. Sarah J. Way, Mr. Robt. Y. Quarterman 
Miss L. Matilda Baker, Mrs. Sarah M. Walthour,Mr. A. S. Quarterman, 
Mrs. S. L. Quarterman, Miss C. Kallender, Mr. Thos. S. Mallard, 
Mrs. M. R. Miller, Mrs. C. A. Fleming, Mr. T. W. Quarterman. 
Dublin, , : 
Ludy, ¢ Servants of David A. Miller. 
Lilly, 


The following were the officers chosen: 


RULING ELDERS. 
W. Q. Baker, Thomas S. Mallard. 
DEACONS. 


David A. Miller, Thomas W. Quarterman. 


The first meeting of the Session was held July 28, 1855, 
and the first communion on Sunday, July 29, 1855. 


PASTORS. 


The church was supplied by the Rev. John Jones till the end 
of the year. On January following, (1856) Rev. R. Q. Mal- 
lard, a native of Liberty county, then a licentiate of Geor- 
gia Presbytery and temporarily supplying the church at 
Midway, was ordained and installed their pastor, and so 
continued to fill the position till October, 1863, when he was 
called to the pastorate of the Central church at Atlanta. 
After a short supply by the Rev. R. Q. Way, the Rev. N. P. 
Quarterman became pastor, and so continued from July, 
1866, to April, 1870, when he was called to take charge of. 
the Anderson Presbyterian church, Savannah. He was suc- 
ceeded by Rev. J. W. Montgomery, who supplied the church 
from January, 1871, to April, 1890. He was succeeded by 
Rey. E. W. Way, who filled the pulpit from December, 1891, 
to April, 1895, when he resigned the field and removed to 
Gainesville, Florida. At the time of his resignation the 
membership of the church numbered seventy-five. 


REV. JOHN FABIAN BAKER. 


» ‘HISTORY ‘CONTINUED. 67 


HISTORY OF MIDWAY CHURCH CONTINUED. 


REV. JOHN F. BAKER. 


After the resignation of Rev. T. S. Winn in 1855, Mr. But- 
tolph was left the sole pastor of Midway church; 
and although the Walthourville people had 
withdrawn, and the field thus largely curtailed, 
there was still a necessity for a colleague, as there yet 
remained four different preaching places, viz.: Flemington, 
Jonesville, Midway and Dorchester, the latter place coming 
rapidly into competition with Midway on account of its 
nearness and health, thus furnishing a permanent abode for 
the citizens in that portion of the county. The church there- 
fore gave a call to Rev. John F. Baker, a native of Liberty 
county, and son of Mr. John O. Baker, a former deacon of 
the church, and a graduate of Princeton. Mr. Baker ac- 
cepted the call and entered upon his labors November, 1855, 
but remained but about six months, after which he ten- 
dered his resignation and removed to Virginia.. 


REV. FRANCIS H. BOWMAN, D. D. 


The church thus being again left with but one pastor, en- 
tered into another election for a co-pastor with Mr. But- 
tolph. Rev., afterwards Dr., Francis H. Bowman, son of 
Rev. Francis Bowman, D. D., former pastor of Greensboro, 
Georgia, church, was chosen. He accepted the position and 
thus continued co-pastor with Mr. Buttolph for three years, 
from 1856 to 1859, when he resigned his charge, and after 
a short time at Greensboro, Alabama, accepted the pastor- 
ate of Augusta church, Mt. Sidney, Va., in 1861, where he 
labored till 1869, when he resigned his position to accept a 
call to the First Church, Memphis, Tenn., where he labored 
till his death from yellow fever, October 6, 1873. 

Mr. Bowman was a native of Charlottesville, Virginia, 
where he was born July 9, 1833, connected himself at four- 
teen years of age with the church at Greensboro, Georgia, of 
which his father was pastor, graduated at Oglethorpe col- 


68 HISTORY OF MIDWAY CHURCH. 


lege in 1850, taught school one year at Mt. Zion academy, 
and after two years at the University of Virginia and one 
year at Princeton, was licensed in the fall of 1856, by the 
Presbytery of Hopewell and soon after ordained and hbe- 
came co-pastor at Midway. 

The following incident in connection with his death will be — 
interesting: 

Being pastor of the First Church in Memphis, Tennessee, at the time of 
the yellow fever in that city, he bravely remained at his post with his people 
till himself was stricken with the disease. A most remarkable incident hap- 
pened in connection with his funeral. It was the wish of many of his peo- 
ple that the services should be held in the church, but fortunately wiser 
counsels prevailed, it not being considered prudent to have a gathering of 
the people in the stricken district. So the body was borne directly ito the 
cemetery, and whilst it was being lowered into the grave the whole plastered 
ceiling of the church fell in, crushing everything beneath. Had the people 
gone to the church, the result would have been most disastrous. Dr. Bow- 
man was much beloved by his people in Memphis. The church edifice was 
burned about 1878, and in rebuilding the people put in a memorial window, 
upon which are inscribed these tender words: ‘Greater love hath no man 
than this, that a man lay down his life for his friend.” 


After the resignation of Mr. Bowman, the society at its 
next annual meeting in March, 1860, elected Rev., after- 
wards Dr. Donald Fraser, as co-pastor, but he declined the 
call, thus leaving Mr. Buttolph the third time sole pastor of 
the church, which position he continued to fill till the seces- 
sion of the state and the war which soon followed, and even 
to its close. As the country wasin such a purturbed state 
and so soon convulsed with the tread of contending armies 
and so many of her sons engaged in the deadly strife, noth- 
ing further was done towards securing a co-pastor, Mr. 
Buttolph supplying the whole field as best he could. Upon 
that portion of the country, however, being overrun by the 
Federal army, a complete estoppel was, for the time being, 
put upon the church services, and followed with a general 
demoralization till the close of the war, the unhappy conse- 
quences of which only added greater impoverishment and 
distress to previous disaster. 


REV. FRANCIS H. BOWMAN. 


COMPLETE DESOLATION. 69 


COMPLETE DESOLATION. 


Of the complete desolation that followed upon this inroad 
_ upon the quiet and peaceable homes of this people, it is truly 
sad to write. With freedom from the presence of an inva- 
ding foe, till nearly the close of the war, it was theirs to ex- 
_ perience all the concentrated bitterness of it in a few weeks. 

Just preceding the fall of Savannah December, 1864, Kilpat- 
rick’s whole division of cavalry in its circular swing, made 
the old church, with its sacred precincts, their camping 
ground for six weeks, with the usual accompanying destruc- 
tion, terror and alarm, private houses being rudely entered, 
provisions all taken, silverware stolen, horses and stock 
carried away, and general plunder; fine carriages converted 
into wagons, by cutting off the upper portions, to bear off 
slaughtered meat. So great was the consternation and 
alarm that it became quite common for ladies not to change 
their dress at night during the entire stay of the Federal 
army, not knowing at what hour their homes might be in- 
vaded. The corner stone, laid December 6, 1852, for a mon- 
ument in commemoration of the early settlement of the col- 
ony, was unearthed and rifled ofits contents. The South- 
ern Florida & Western railroad, running through thecountry 
from Savannah to southwestern Georgia, having been cut, 
all the supplies for miles around the church having been ta- 
ken, with every horse gone, and all the beeves, and pigs and 
chickens consumed by the Federal soldiers, the people with 
nothing left and no horses to go after anything, were re- 
duced to the greatest straits. In some instances the desti- 
tution was so great that they were compelled to visit some 
of the abandoned camps of the Federals and gather up the 
shattered corn left upon the ground where the horses had 
been fed. There were but two things that saved them from 
utter starvation: the one was the barns filled with corn in 
the district known as ‘‘the Desert,”’ a small but rich section, 
surrounded with “Blue Clay’’ swamp, which the Federal 
soldiers undertook to cross, but miring into it with their 
ponderous wagons, they thought it best not to undertake a 


70 HISTORY OF MIDWAY CHURCH. 


_ second trip. The other was that the rice raised on several 
of the farms were still standing in the ricks, which the ne- 
groes assured their visiting friends would choke their horses 
if fed upon it, and as they had ‘‘no way to hull it,” as they 
said, these were left untouched. These fortuitous cireum- ~ 
stances left some things for some of the people at least to 
feed upon. But I forbear speaking further on this subject. 

I cannot, however, let this opportunity pass without pay- 
ing a deserved tribute to the fidelity of the colored people of 
Liberty county. Like their brethren throughout the entire 
south, many of them displayed the greatest devotion to 
their masters. Instead of forsaking them in the time of their 
virtual imprisonment, when they could leave their homes 
only at the risk of life and destruction of property, these 
people, like the ravens of old feeding Elijah, would go out in | 
search of, and regularly bring them meals, whence they 
knew not, and without which kind service, it is hard to tell 
to what straits they would have been reduced. Let this 
and all similar acts of the colored people never be forgotten, 
but sink deep into the hearts of the Southern people. 


FLEMINGTON CHURCH. 


The disasters of the war soon brought about a second dis- — 
memberment of the old church. The same reasons impelled 
the Flemington people as those of Walthourville, only in a 
greater degree, to seek a church organization of their own. 
They were so reduced and poverty stricken that no other 
alternative was left them. It was either that or no church 
privileges, for even if the church services should be kept up 
at Midway, not one in ten could possibly attend. In view, 
therefore, of the situation, though reluctantly, a second ap- 
plication for dismemberment was made, resulting in the with- 
drawal of the Flemington people. In accordance with the 
request seventy persons living in and around Flemington 
were dismissed from Midway for the purpose of a separate 
organization. Following theexampleof Walthourville, they 
adopted the Presbyterian form of government and were, on 
application to the Presbytery of Georgia, duly elected into 


THE FLEMINGTON CHURCH. fl 


52 _a Presbyterian church by that body at a called meeting held . 
_ at Flemington April 6, 1866. 
Members of the Presbytery present: 

--MinisTers.—R. Q. Way, D. H. Porter, James C. Cosby, D. L. Buttolph. 
2 RULING ELDERS.—F. M. McRae, from Mt. Vernon church. 
VISITING BRETHREN.—Rey. C. B. King of Hopewell Presbytery. Rev. 


a ~ Edward QO. Andrews of the M. E. church, Elder J. B. Mallard from Wal- 


_____ thourville, and licentiate N. P. Quarterman, who was at the same time or- 
as dained Evangelist. 

.. ; ‘The following are the members who entered into the or- 
= ‘ganization: 

SS MEMBERS. 

= Ezra Stacy, Elizabeth A. Clark, Wm. Harrison, 

-. Mrs. Maria Stacy, Mrs. Marion Sheppard, Mrs. Sarah Harrison, 

= .—-~ Sarah A. Stacy, Dr. Alexander Fraser, Mrs. W. G. Martin, 

_ Thos. Q. Cassels, John E. Mann, Mrs. Mary Jane Way. 
eS Mrs. Mary A. Cassels, Mrs. Elizabeth G. Mann, Laura A. Martin, 
maoee=.-L. if Cassels, Eugenia Mann, S. E. Martin, 

- Robert Q. Cassels, Harriet Mann, J. B. Martin, 

= Walter O. Cassels. Mrs. Josephine Palmer, John E. Martin, 

“3 Irwin Rahn, Simon A. Fraser, Rosa Norman, 

; Mrs. Sarah A. Rahn. Mrs. Mary W. Fraser, Mary A. Norman, 
John S. Norman, Flora E. Fraser, C. V. Winn, 
Mrs. Susan W. Norman, Mrs. Laura J. Norman. Sarah Ann Way, 
Mary S. Norman, W. W. Winn, Florence B. Way, 
Mrs. Ann Irene Way, Mrs. Claudia Winn, Graves Way, 
Elizabeth S. Way. Eleanora Winn, Mrs. Mary Way, 

ae Wm. John Way, - Mrs. Ann Ladson, Mrs. Ann Smith, 

> ~Mts: Jane Way, W. B. Trask, John Girardeau, 
Robert T. Quarterman, Mrs. Jane Trask, Mrs. Eliza Q. Way, 

: _ Mrs. Mary E. Quarterm’n Leonora Trask, John W. Stacy, 

= Mrs. Sarah Fraser, Catharine Trask, James Laing, 

: ~ Mrs. Isabella Bradwell, W.E. W. Quarterman, Thos. G. Stacy, 

r Margaret M. Fraser, Mrs. Lydia Quarterman, Joseph H. Norman, 

= Mary J. Bradwell, Mrs. Harriet Theiss, Mrs. Caroline A. Stacy, 

4 J. Calvin Norman, 

= : 

5 The following were the officers chosen: 

ee . RULING ELDERS. 


wW. E. W. Quarterman. Thos. Q. Cassels, Ezra Stacy, James Laing. 


DEACONS. 
_ §. A. Fraser, L. M. Cassels. 


PASTORS. 


The church thus organized at Flemington was continued 
to be supplied by Rev. D. L. Buttolph, pastor of Midway 


72 HISTORY OF MIDWAY CHURCH. Whos 


church, being assisted in his work by Rev. R. Q. Andrews, 
Methodist minister employed as missionary to the negroes, 
by the executors of Lamberts’ estate. 

At the end of 1867, the country being so impoverished and 
the people so reduced as to be unable to support a pastor, 
Mr. Buttolph reluctantly severed his connection with the 
Midway and Flemington people and removed to Marietta, 
Georgia, to which place he had been called as pastor. 


REV. D. L. BUTTOLPH, D. D. 


Rev. David Lyman Buttolph was born at Norwich, N. Y., 
December 24, 1822. He was the son of David Buttolph, a 
lawyer. His mother was a Miss Lyman, a close relative of 
Dr. Lyman Beecher. He graduated at Williams College in 
1845 and Columbia Seminary in 1852 in the class with the 
writer, was licensed the same year by Charleston Presbytery 
at Beech Island, and soon afterwards ordained to the full 
work of the ministry and for two years was assistant to 
._ Dr. Thomas Smyth, then pastor of the Second Presbyterian 
church, Charleston, S. C., whence he removed to Mid- 
way. On the tenth of June, 1856, he was united in marriage 
to Miss Laura E. Maxwell, the great granddaughter of Col. 
James Maxwell, one of the early settlers of the county. In 
1879 the degree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred on 
him by the University of Georgia. When Gen. Hood re- 
treated from before Gen. Kilpatrick and crossed the Alta- 
maha river, Dr. Buttolph, who was with the army, hearing 
of the burning of the station house at McIntosh, and also 
that they had possession of Flemington, left the army, and 
after making a long circuitous detour, reached his home on 
Sunday night, which he approached with the greatest cau- 
tion, having employed the services of a colored man as a 
guide, who went before him with the understanding that 
should he meet a picket, he would fall upon the ground and 
thus signal the fact to him. He was permitted to remain 
unmolested after being arrested and examined, and after be- 
ing robbed of his gold watch by one of the Federal soldiers. 

After a pleasant and successful pastorate at Midway of 


DAVID L. BUTTOLPH, D.D. 


a 


Ee ee 


< 
¢ 


3 * 


DORCHESTER CHURCH. | 73 


thirteen years, greatly beloved and respected by all, he re- 


moved as above indicated to Marietta, in the fall of 1867, 
and where he labored as pastor till April, 1888, when from 


_ failing health he felt constrained to tender his resignation, 


which was accepted. Upon returning health Dr. Buttolph 
accepted the charge of a group of churches around Marietta, 
still making that place his home, and which he has sup- 


plied with the greatest acceptance. 


After the retirement of Dr. Buttolph December, 1867, the 
Flemington church was supplied fortwo years and more, 
from January, 1868, to April, 1870, by Rev. N. P. Quarter- 
man and afterwards by Rev. J. W. Montgomery for twenty 
years, from November, 1870, to the spring of 1891, when he 
removed to Texas, where he is still laboring as pastor of the 
church at Giddings. 

In 1893 Mr. C. C. Carson, a licentiate of the Presbytery of 
Holston and a native of Tennessee, was ordained and in- 
stalled pastor of the two associated churches of Flemington 
and Blackshear, which field he still fills. 

The present membership of Flemington church (1898) is 
fifty-eight. 


DORCHESTER CHURCH. 


On account of the withdrawal of the Walthourville and 
Flemington people, and abandonment of so many of the 
winter homes and farms, and the general dispersion and 
impoverishment of the inhabitants, caused by the war, the 
few families, some fifteen or twenty in all, composing the 
village of Dorchester, were about all that, was left of the 
white membership of the old church; the village of Jonesville 
the last of the summer retreats being hopelessly broken up, 
with the wreck of the farms, its location rendering it unfit 
for a place of permanent residence. In their isolated condi- 
tion nothing was left the Dorchester people but to seek an 
organization of theirown. In imitation of Walthourville 
and Flemington, having a house of their own built several 
years before, and after a vear’s supply by Rev. N. P. Quar- 
terman, who was also minister to the other two places, 


aa 
> ‘ 


74 HISTORY OF MIDWAY CHURCH. 


they applied to Savannah Presbytery for an organization oe 


and accordingly were organized January 6, 1871, into a 
church of fourteen members, with one ruling elder, by acom- 
mittee consisting of Rev. N. P. Quarterman, Rev. C. B. King 
and Elder Ezra Stacy; Elder E. J. Harden, the other member 
of the committee, being absent. 


NAMES OF INCORPORATING MEMBERS. ; 
L. J. Mallard, E Mrs. Jennette Martin, Mrs. Rebecca E. Bacon, 


Mrs. Sarah S. Mallard: Mrs. Lizzie O. Stevens, Mrs. Sarah L. Mallard, 
Miss Mary S. Mell, Miss Annie Delegal, Miss Mary Alice Mallard 
Mrs. Harriet N. Bacon, Miss Julia Winn, Mrs. Carrie McIver. 
Mrs. Louisa V. Winn, Mrs. Mary E. Busby, —I14 


RULING ELDER.. : 
L. J. Mallard was chosen Ruling Elder. 


PASTORS. 


The church was supplied by Rev. J. W. Montgomery, who 
also preached at Flemington and Walthourville churches 
from 1871 to 1881, by Rev. R. Q. Baker from 1881 to 1882, 
then again by Rev. J. W. Montgomery from 1882 to 1893, 
and Rev. E. W. Way from spring 1893 to 1895, and Rev. L. 
T. Way, from January 1, 1896, to the present. Present 
membership (1898) forty-nine. 


FINAL DISSOLUTION. 


From the organization of the Dorchester church, 1871, 
may be reckoned the final dissolution of the Midway Congre- 
gational church, though virtually extinct even as early as 
the removal of Dr. Buttolph in the fall of 1867. The church 
was never formally dissolved, but simply exhausted itself by 
removals and repeated colonization. After the removal of 
Dr. Buttolph, the building was left in the hands of the col- 
ored members, who continued to use it and who were the 
next year, 1868, organized-into a separate Presbyterian 
church, with 600 members, by Rev. Joe Williams, a minister 
of their own color, the last annual meeting of the society be- 
ing December, 1865, and the last record in the Sessi on Book 
being October, 1867. 


CHARACTERISTICS. to 


Thus, after one hundred and thirteen years, this old church, 
venerable with years and abundant in fruit, yielding to the 
stern demand of an imperious necessity, laid aside her ar- 
mor and drawing around her the drapery of her couch, laid 
herself down to rest. 


CTEAPTER VIE 


» 


CHARACTERISTICS. 


Having thus taken a general and rapid survey of this peo- 
ple, I desire more particularly to give some sketches of their 
inner and home life—some of their noble deeds, and some of 
their great men. This was truly a wonderful people if you 
consider their fewness in number in connection with 
the work they have done, and the influence they have ex- 
erted over the country and the world. The colony was not 
a large one by any means at first, and for a long time not 
more than three hundred and fifty whites all told, with an 
average church membership of not exceeding one hundred 
and fifty during the greater period of its existence, and yet 
in the end we will see what have been their achievements. 
The governors, signers of the Declaration of Independence, 
the number of counties named, the number of ministers and 
ministers’ wives, missionaries, presidents and professors of 
institutions of learning, scientists, teachers, and men and 
women of influence, furnished by this little colony, are truly 
marvelous. 

_ Before enumerating some of these, I wish to emphasize a 
few of the leading characteristics of this people. 

Though engaged chiefly in agricultural pursuits, they were 
unusually intelligent and refined. Bartram tells of his going 
in company with “several of its polite inhabitants” from 
Sunbury, to attend a meeting at Medway. Ofthe home of 


76 HISTORY OF MIDWAY CHURCH. 


Hon. Benjamin Andrews, one of them, he speaks as the “seat 
of virtue, where hospitality, piety and philosophy formed 
the happy family.’’! So Rev. Archibald Simpson, when on a 
visit to the church, speaks of the congregation as “large 
and genteel.’”’? These people have always been the friends 
and patrons of education as the long list of ministers, pro- 
fessors, teachers, scientists and prominent citizens going out 
from them abundantly attest. Their interest in this cause 
manifested itself even in Carolina in the formation of the 
Dorchester and Beech Hill Alphabet Society, not later per- — 
haps than 1740, and which was perpetuated in what was 
known as the Midway and Newport Library Society, and 
thus continuing for over one hundred years. This Society 
at one timé had a library of about five hundred volumes.* 

Their interest in education further appears from the fact 
that at an early day, as early as 1788, a school of high 
classical character was established at Sunbury, and attained 
great celebrity under the management of Dr. Wm. McWhir.4 
The beneficial results of this institution to the state were 
incalculable, as students came from different parts of the 
country, especially up and down the coast; the same also 
appears from the number of prominent ministers and men 
going out from its walls. 

In 1798, in addition to the Board of Commissioners which 
had been Hee ee some time before, consisting of James 
Dunwoody, Rev. Cyrus Gildersleeve, Peter Winn, Daniel 
Stewart, and Thos. Stevens, a committee was appointed 
consisting of James Powell, Benjamin Law, Henry Wood, 
John Stacy, John Warren, Simon Fraser, James Cochran, 
Thos. Bradwell, and Rev. Mr. Cloud, a Methodist minister, 
‘“‘to determine on some proper mode to establish an acade- 
my for the county.’”’ At asubsequent meeting John Elliott 


-and John Jones were added to this committee, in the room 


of James Powell and Rev. Mr. Cloud. A school was soon 
afterwards established at Newport, mention being made of 
an appropriation of “glass to glaze the windows,” but 


1. Travels, P.4. 2. Howe’s His. P.318. 3. Mallard’s accaunt. 4. Rees. Cy. Art. 
Sunbury. 


REV. WILLIAM McWHIR, D_D. 


CHARACTERISTICS. rer é 


whether this was the one contemplated in the above action 
_ Iam not able to say. 
In addition to these, other schools were soon established 
first at Midway and afterwards at Walthourville, Fleming- 
ton and Jonesville, and later on at Dorchester, to say noth- 
ing about those started in other parts of the county, under 
the influence and stimulus of these, as at Riceboro, Hines- 
ville, Connouchee Bluff, and Taylor’s Creek. Major John 
Winn taught for awhile at Midway, and Mr. Edward Pyn- 
_ cheon for a long time had a flourishing academy, male and 
female, at Walthourville, so Mr. John B. Mallard later on 
at the same place; Mr. Samuel Varnedoe, at Jonesville; Mr. 
- Samuel Mallard and others, at Flemington, and Col. James 
_S. Bradwell, at Hinesville. Hon. A. H. Stephens also at one 
time taught for awhile in the family of Mr. Louis LeConte’s, 
near Jonesville. These schools were all first-class in every 
particular, the teachers being graduates. As the result, the 
children were all well taught and had every facility for ac- 
' quiring a first-class education without ever leaving home. 
They were also a patriotic people. In attestation of 
this I need only point to the illustrious name which the 
county bears, and which was conferred by the unanimous . 
voice of the state. When the parishes were changed into 
counties by the constitutional convention which met in 
- Savannah in 1777, all the other counties were named in hon- 
_or of distinguished Englishmen, friends of America. Thus, 
Chatham was named in honor of the elder Pitt, the Earl of 
Chatham and friend of American liberty. Richmond, after the 
Duke of Richmond, another friend, who so nobly advocated 
- the cause of American freedom in the House of Lords. Ef 
fingham, after Lord Efingham, who refused to employ his 
sword against America. Burke, after the great Commoner 


== 

4 . and Statesman. Camden, after the distinguished Lord 

= Chancellor of England and firm friend of thecolonies. Glynn, 

: after the eminent counsellor of that name. Wukes, embra- 

E ___ cing all the ceded lands north of the Ogeechee, after John 
x Wilkes, the avowed friend of American Independence. But 
‘this one was named in honor of her own self and in com- 


-memoration of her own heroic deeds. It was On account of 


78 HISTORY OF MIDWAY CHURCH. 


the great zeal of this people in the cause of Independence, 
that the name of the parish of St. John, in connection 
with those of St. Andrews and St. James, was changed by — 
the legislature to the county of Liberty; and if any people 
ever deserved to have patriotic devotion to their country’s 
cause embalmed in their county’s name, it was this. They 
were the first to assert their independence and the last to 
surrender to British supremacy, Sunbury being the last mil- 
itary post upon whose ramparts floated the colonial flag 
when the province was overrun in 1778. While the rest of 
the parishes were parleying and dallying, she resolved to 
act, ‘‘the irresolution of fear,’’ as Dr. Stevens expressed it, 
“having co place in her decided councils.”’ Withdrawing 
from the provincial congress on account of their halting and 
dalliance, she sought connection with the Charleston asso- 
ciation through a petition sent by a committee ap- 
pointed at Midway February 9, 1775, and consisting of 
Daniel Roberts, Samuel Stevens, and Joseph Wood. Being 
refused admission into the Carolina association, she resolved 
to act for herself, and in advance of the rest of the province, 
sent her own representative, Dr. Lyman Hall, to the conti- 
nental congress at Philadelphia in 1775, and who, it is said, 
went allthe way on horseback.1 No wonder Governor 
Wright, in his letter to Secretary Germain, speaks of the in- 
habitants of St. John’s Parish as a “nest of Oliverians, most 
of whom would go back again as soon as their crops would 
be reaped in Carolina.2. Dr. Stevens did not overdraw the 
picture, when he said in his eloquent address before the 
Georgia Historical Society : . 
“Alone she stood, a Pharos of Liberty in England’s most loyal Province, 
renouncing every fellowship that savored not ot freedom, and refusing ev- 
ery luxury which contributed to ministerial coffers. With a halter around 
her neck and the gallows before her eyes, she severed herself from  sur- 
rounding associations and cast her lot, while as yet all was gloom and dark- 


ness, with the fortunes of her country, to live with her rights, or die in their 
defense. Proud spot of Georgia soil! Well does it deserve the appellation 


1. Dr. Hall was elected by this Parish March 21, 1775, and received May 13th of the 
same year, as “a delegate from the Parish of St. John’s of the Province of Georgia,” 
and allowed to deliberate, but not to vote when the vote was taken by Provinces, as he 
represented only a Parish. He was regularly chosen July 7th as the representative of 
the whole Province, and in company with Button Gwinnett, another representative, and 
trom the same Parish, signed the Declaration of Independence. 


2. Ga. His. Coll. Vol. III P. 310. Oliverians named after Qliner Cromwell. 


CHARACTERISTICS. Was) 


which a grateful state conferred upon it, and truly may we say of its sons in 
_ the remembrance of their patriotic sacrifices: ‘Nothing was wanting to their 
_ glory ; they were wanting to ours.’’’1 


She had her full share of representatives on the committee 
drafting the resolutions for adoption at the famous meeting 
at Tondees’ Tavern in Savannah August 10, 1774, and 
which has been styled the ‘birthplace of freedom in Georgia.”’ 
She gave of her sons, furnishing her full quota of officers and 
men, sending at an early day two volunteer companies, the 
“St. John’s Rangers” and the ‘‘St. John’s Riflemen.’’ She 
was the first to offer upon the altar of her country in the 
cause of freedom, a commissioned officer of any prominence 
(Gen. Screven). The Midway people were the only commu- 
nity that sent a letter of congratulation to General Wash- 
ington on his visit to Georgiain 1791. She still exhibits the 
same military spirit in the maintenance of two cavalry com- 
panies, one of which, ‘‘The Independent Troop,’’ has been 
perpetuated since just after the war of the Revolution, be- 
ing the oldest cavalry and the second oldest military com- 
pany in the state, the Chatham artillery outranking them 
by a few vears, they being organized in 1786, while the 
Droop were not organized till 1791 or 1792.° The other 
company, the ‘‘Liberty Guards,’’ was organized in the upper 
portion of the county in 1845, commanded by Captain 
Enoch Daniel, and kept up ever since. These companies have 
never failed to offer their services, when demanded by their 
country, or ever failed to win laurels on every knighted 

field. In the state tournaments the Liberty Troop have 
usually borne off if not all, at least their full share of the 
offered prizes. The interest and enthusiasm on the part of 
the members are kept up, in a large measure, by the interest 
manifested by the people. These companies have always 
occupied prominent positions on Fourth of July celebrations 
and other public occasions. Their drills and parades have 
always awakened enthusiasm among the citizens, which no 
doubt have largely contributed to their perpetuation. I 
know of no other county, purely agricultural, in this or any 


. 


Te a ea 


1. Ga. His. Coll. Vol. Il P. 24. 2. See Dr. Jones’ Address P. 18. 


80 HISTORY OF MIDWAY CHURCH. 


other state that maintains two military companies of vol- 
unteers. . 
They also possessed and exhibited in a very pleasing de- 
gree all the noble elements of social life. They were neigh-— 
borly and friendly. Ina great degree shut out from the rest 
of the world, they married and intermarried to such an ex- 
tent that almost everybody became related to everybody 
else, and became as one large family, with associations of 
the greatest neighborly freedom and confidence. They were 
hospitable and kind. There were few houses, if any, where 
the worthy traveler could not spend the night without the 
payment of a single cent. Unable to live upon the farms on 
account of health, and therefore with a good deal of gentle- 
manly leisure, and in some instances of means, though of. 
no great wealth, they indulged a good deal in hunting and 
outside sports in the day time and devoting much of the 
evening to family reunions and to rehearsing the events 
of the day, or repeating incidents of former times. The 
writer remembers well with what interest he would listen 
to the marvelous stories and legends, of military prowess ~ 
and exploits, told by the older people, concerning ‘‘Bob”’ Sal- 
lett and other remarkable characters of the revolution; and 
for the same reason, any ‘‘good joke’”’ upon any one would 
surely be carefully treasured up as ‘‘stock in trade,’ and in 
due time was certain to receive proper ventilation. They 
were a temperate people. Though living in a malarial 
country, and where they might easily offer the modern plea 
of health for the use of alcoholic liquors, in accordance too 
with the common idea of the early settlers of the province, 
“that everybody knew the water,’’ according to Tailfer, 
“needed qualifying,” yet they were remarkably abstemious. 
Liberty county has ever been ranked with the prohibition 
counties, and has always, and ahead of all others, had local 
legislation on the subject. The writer remembers being at a 
gathering of young people one Christmas, when a proposi- 
tion for an eggnog was made ; upon the suggestion of one of 
the young ladies, cologne was substituted for whiskey, 
there being no spirits to be had in the whole country. So I 
find very few cases of church discipline in the records for this 


CHARACTERISTICS. 81 


sin. In later years liquor was allowed to be sold by the 

- quart, but the moral sentiment was always such that a 
man who would engage in the traffic even under this re- 
striction, always felt that the avocation placed him consid- 

erably below par in the estimation of the people. 

ox They were a public spirited people, looking after the gen- 

- eral interest, as appears from the statement of Rev. Mr. 

Simpson in his visit in 1761, concerning the fine church edi- 

3 _ fice, and the good public roads, which seven years before 

_-—s were impenetrable swamps. 

‘They were a liberal people. The employment of two min- 
isters, with a salary of $1,000 each, too clearly shows that 
= the contributions to all the benevolent causes were in like 
_proportion. As an instance of this we need only mention 

the one item of $1,292 given to the Columbia Seminary at 
different times ; the special legacy of Maj. Maybank of $5,- 

- 396.20, besides the annual contributions to the Bible cause, 
Foreign Missions, and different societies. 

They were also a musical people. Paid choristers were 

appointed, and formed part of every year’s election. ~ Seats 
in the church were specially set apart for the singers, and 

e different parts carried; fugue pieces, such as Sherburne 

____and Easter Anthem, being in the earlier periods special fa- 

es vorites. The interest in church song has been kept up even 

to the present, a large proportion of the young people being 
able to sing by note; the interest being kept up by weekly 
meetings at some central house in each neighborhood du- 
‘ring some night in the week for practice. 

_~ But it was especially in their religious life and conduct 
that their character shone most conspicuously. They 
were emphatically a godly people, as appears from the fre- 

- quent fast days and seasons of special prayer and thanks- 

__——s giving, with which their earlier records abound.  Scarcely 

had the first settlers landed before they commenced the erec- 

tion of a house of worship, and their zeal and devotion only 
increased with the flight of years. 
It was customary and also expected that everybody in 


1, Howe’s His. Vol. II P. 452. 


82 HISTORY OF MIDWAY CHURCH. 


the community, outsiders as well as church members, should 


attend those services, public sentiment demanding such at-_ 
tendance. To stay away was to sink in the scale of re 
spectability. The writer remembers but one man in his day 


who left off going to the house of the Lord, and with what 
holy horror he was looked upon, very much in the light of a 


heathen and publican. It was their custom to have two 


services every Sabbath, though in the country, a thing quite 


unusual in the early settlement of anew country, and irre- 


spective of the weather, though they had no means of warm- 


ing the house. In the absence ‘of the minister these services” 
were conducted by one or more of the deacons. The prac- 


tice which commenced at an early day and afterwards ob- 
tained in all the retreats and kept up in some of them to 


this day, of having services conducted by the deacons in the 


absence of the minister, is worthy of note. After the settle- 
ment of the retreats, there being five places of worship and 
only: two ministers, and Midway claiming the service of one 
every Sabbath through the winter months, there could 


hardly be an average of two Sabbaths in the month for 


preaching. I give it as my own experience that I have in 
my rearing heard fully as many sermons read by laymen as 
preached by ministers. Where do you find the parallel to 
this in the annals of any other church? On account of the 
distance of so many of the families from the church, cold 
lunches were served for dinner, the different families resort- 
ing to the various little houses built around the church for 


their comfortable resting during the intermission, each fam-_ 


ily having its-own, or as sometimes the case, two or more, 
when related.1 

The following was the program for services: 

The bell would ring at eleven o’clock, the congregation would assemble, 
the minister would preach, or if it was “reading day,’ the deacon would 
read a sermon; then an intermission of one hour for refreshment, after which 
the congregation would again assemble at the ringing of the bell to hear 
another sermon from the minister or deacon. The congregation would be 


finally dismissed about four o’clock and quietly return to their homes, reach- 


ing them late in the afternoon, when after catechetical exercises (in many of 
the homes) the family would retire. 
1. These houses were erected at a very early date. To a stranger the church, sur- 


rounded with some thirty and more of these little houses,’ framed and covered with 
boards, presented quite a singular and unique appearance. 


CHARACTERISTICS. 83 


_ The same customs also at the retreats. There were arbors 
_ erected at Walthourville and Flemington. At Jonesvilleand 
Dorchester, the houses being more compactly built, there 
was no necessity for these booths or arbors. In later years 


‘aie 


8 the practice of remaining at the church during recess was 
Ss _ abandoned at all these places, it being more convenient for 
_ the families to return to their homes for dinner, but, all re- 
4 turning to afternoon service. 

Ss But in nothing did their piety more conspicuously display 
___ttself than in their careful and conscientious training of their 
x children. They were great believers in the Abrahamic cove- 
a nant, and the duty to consecrate their children unto the 
.__Lord in baptism; even outsiders, in some instances, asking 


q the privilege. Their record shows that the practice at first 
was well nigh universal. They felt that they themselves 
and all they had belonged to the Lord, and therefore at a 
: very early age they presented their children unto the Lord, 
in the ordinance of baptism, and at the same time recogni- 
zing the responsibility assumed in such a service, they mani- 
fested their great concern for their spiritual welfare, in the 
___ efforts they made to bring them to the Savior. They did 
= : not, as in these latter days, go to church themselves, and 
leave them at home or allow them to roam about on the 
Lord’s day, but always carried their children with them to 
the house of the Lord. Mention is made in the records even 
of “children in the lap.”’ 

And they not only carried their children with them, but 
required them to sit with them in the same pew, that they 
might be under their immediate care and supervision. Noth- 
ing contributed more to the good and orderly behavior at 
church than the practice adopted at the beginning, of raising 

. the pastors’ salary by renting the seats. Each family had 
its own pew, the father occupying one end and the mother 
the other, with the children between; and nothing was more 
beautiful. They emphatically worshipped by families, car- 
rying out the order of the march of Israel through the wil- 
derness, ‘‘every man under the ensign of his father’s house.’”* 


a? 


=". 


Mie 


Scat ae 


rage 
cr rf Ny ny 
a) { ‘ 


1, Num. 2 2. 


84 HISTORY OF MIDWAY CHURCH. 


As Moses refused the request of Pharaoh to leave their chil-~ be 


dren in Egypt, so this people were unwilling to leave their 
little ones behind them, but insisted on taking them along 
with them; as all the families of Israel, including their chil- 
dren, were baptized into Moses as their leader, by the deliy- 
erance at the sea; as they all stood together, parents and 
children, and were sprinkled by Moses with the hyssop 


branch at Mount Sinai; as they all stood together again on ~ 


the:borders of the land, at the renewal of the covenant, ex- 
press mention being made of ‘‘the little ones,” and as they — 
all entered, parents and children, into the portion of the 
land on the east side of Jordan, typical of the part of Christ’s 
kingdom in Heaven, so these people felt and believed that 
their children should go along with them, and as children of 
the covenant, should be baptized into Christ as their leader. 
It was not until later years, when departing from the sim- 


plicity of the faith of their fathers, and after the introduc-— 
tion of a foreign element, that we find the duty to be neg- — 


lected by some, and the necessity of the Session calling at- 
tention to the neglect and insisting upon their return to 
their former practice. ; 

As the result of all this faithful training, and confirmed and 
supported too by parental example, the children grew up as 
they were taught, having due respect for everything sacred. 
In no community was there greater veneration for the min- 
ister, the sanctuary, the ordinances of God’s house, and 
that veneration was seen in all directions; respect was 
shown the aged; the children were trained up with gravity 


and in subordination to law and order. As the result, little — 


or no profanity was ever heard, little or no drunkenness or 


rowdyism was ever seen, but obedience on every side tolaw. — 


Hence the short sittings of the circuit court, seldom occupy- 
ing the whole of the two days allowed by the calendar. I 
do not now recall a single act of violence or murder trial in 
my raising. I doubt if the records of the courts, confined 
strictly to the Midway people and their descendants, will 
show a single homicide or murder during the entire history 
of the church. Only train the children right, make them 


obedient to their parents and respectful to their superiors, - 


_ CHARACTERISTICS. _ 85. 


] vanity or ostentation that none, at least in this southern latitude, 
Lus in all the great moral elements mee a really substantial and happy 
ty. “If these consist in Obedience to, and reverence for, the laws 


tual confidence Peeeeen citizens, in warm social affections, in the kindest _ 
ourse, in a hospitality simple and easy. but without ostentation or 
in brotherly love one for another, in a surface everywhere dotted ~ 


es of worship and schools for the instruction of the youth, in a 


no through past time, as she now is, a model and example to her - 
ounties of Georgia. And it may not be too much to say that her 
as indeed and in truth been felt, and as the jnstenon has de- 


86 HISTORY OF MIDWAY CHURCH. 


CHAPTER VIII. 


HER GREAT MEN, CIVIL AND MILITARY. 


SOME OF HER DEEDS AND GREAT MEN. 


After this rapid and succinct statement of some of the 
characteristics of this old church, I proceed to call attention 
to some of her people as well as note some of their deeds. 
Be it far from me to advocate anything like Chinese ances- 
tral worship. We venerate, not worship: We admire, not 
adore. The Midway people had their failings and short- 
comings, like other men, but withal a most grand and glo- 
rious record, such as has never been the lot of any other 
people. Her great men are numbered by scores. Her influ- 
ence felt in thousands of places. Her history absolutely 
stands without a parallel, as will appear from the following 
simple recital of facts: 


GOVERNORS AND SIGNERS OF DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE. 


Four of the early governors of the state and two of the 
signers of the declaration of independence, were from the 
parish of St. Johns. The governors were Button Gwinnett, 
Richard Howley, Nathan Brownson and Lyman Hall. The 
two signers were Button Gwinnett and Lyman Hall. 

1. Button Gwinnett was a native of England. Residing 
on St. Catherine island, which he had purchased from Thos. 
and Mary Bosomworth, he became identified with the people, 
making Sunbury his place of business and associations. Dr. 
Lyman Hall was his warm friend and physician, being also 
one of the executors of his will. He seems also to have been 
at one time the justice of peace of St. John’s parish.! He was 


1. White’s His. Col. P. 39. 


GOVERNORS. RT 


a member of the continental congress and one of the signers 
of the Declaration of Independence. He was a member of the 
convention that met in Savannah October, 1776, and framed 
the constitution of the state, he having much to do with the 
framing of the same. He was elected governor March, 
1777, in the place of President Archibald Bullock, deceased, 
and fell mortally wounded in a duel which he fought May 
15th, with Gen. Lochlan McIntosh, whom he had challenged, 
and died on the 18th, in the forty-fifth year of his age. 

2. Richard Howley was born near Savannah, but after- 
wards became a citizen of Sunbury. First repfesenting Lib- 
erty county in the state assembly, he afterwards was made 
governor in 1780, and a member of congress in 1781, when 
he and his associates published their noted remonstrance at 
the threatened surrender of Georgia to the British. He died 
in Savannah December, 1784. 

3. Nathan Brownson, a practicing physician, introduced 
to the county by Dr. Dunwoody, surgeon in Georgia Brig- 
ade, a member of the provincial congress in 1775, and of 
continental congress in 1776-8, elected governor in 1781, 
and a member of the convention framing the constitution in 
1789. We have no evidence that he ever was a communing 


member of Midway church, but the records show that he 


was thoroughly identified with her people, for in its registry 
we find mention of the death of his wife, Elizabeth, April 4, 
1775, of his son, Nathan, September 2, 1777, and of hisown 
October 18, 1796." 

The following notice of him is taken from the Columbian 
Museum and Savannah Advertiser of Friday, Nov.11, 1796: 

“Died at his plantation in Liberty county Nathan Brownson, Esqr., whose 
various talents as a statesman, philosopher and physician have placed him 
in the list of distinguished characters. His expiring moments were marked 
with that peculiar firmness of mind, which attended him through life, and 
his last words delivered in whispers, were more sublimely eloquent than all 
the studied declamation of the pulpit: ‘The scene,’ said he, ‘is now chang- 
ing. The business of life is nearly over. I have, like the rest of my fellow 
creatures, been guilty of foibles, but I trust to the mercy of my God to par- 
don me, and to his justice to reward my good deeds.’ By his family, by his 
friends, by men of sense and genius, who knew him, his death will be long 
lamented.” 


1. Encyclopedias say November 6th. 


. 


88 HISTORY OF MIDWAY CHURCH. 


4. Dr. Lyman Hall was a member of the Continental iy 
Congress in 1776, going all the way to Philadelphia 
on horseback,' first as the representative of St. John’s par- 


ish before the secession of the rest of the colony, and after- 
wards of the whole province, and also one of the signers of 
the Declaration of Independence. He was also elected gov- 
ernor in 1783. The church records show that Dr. Hall was 
a member at Midway in 1776. His plantation was near the 
old church, ‘‘Hall’s Knoll’’ being one of the earlier recollections 


of the writer when a boy, not being more than two miles 


from his father’s home. 


Dr. Hall, after the expiration of his term of office as gov- 


ernor, removed to Savannah, and in 1790 to a place in 
Burke county on the Savannah river, where he died October 
19, 1790, and was buried, and where his remains reposed 
till July 4, 1848, when, together with those of George Wal- 


ton, they were removed and deposited beneath a monument ~ 


in Greene street, Augusta, in front of the court house, the 
state of Georgia paying the cost of removal.? It was the in- 
tention that the remains of Button Gwinnett, the other 


signer of the Declaration of Independence, should also be — 


deposited there, but though generally believed to be buried 
in Savannah, the spot not being marked witha stone, they 
could not be found. 


COUNTIES NAMED. 


To this church and people also belongs the honor of giving 


names to six of the counties of the state, viz.: 


1. Liberty, formed of the parishes of St. Johns, St. Andrew — 


and St. James, in 1777, by the legislature, and so named in 
honor of the early and conspicuous devotion of the people 


of St. Johns to the cause of freedom, in so empha as- 


serting their independence. 
2. Screven, formed December 14, 1793, and iBnea athe 


Gen. James Screven, a citizen of Sunbury, who fell mortally — 
wounded in an engagement one and a half miles south of 


1. Sherwood. 2. See acts of Assembly. 


eee ee ST Ng od, 


MILITARY. 89 


4 ‘Midway church, on Sunday morning, November 22, 1778, 


and died three days afterwards, and was buried in Midway 
grave yard. 

3. Hall, established December 15, 1818, and named after 
Dr. Lyman Hall, resident of Liberty county, member of 
Midway church, signer of the Declaration of Independence, 
and afterwards governor of the state. 

4. Gwinnett, established December 15, 1818, and called 
after Hon. Button Gwinnett, whose home was on St. Cath- 
erine island, but whose business and associations were in 
Sunbury; one of the signers of the Declaration of Independ- 
ence, and also governor of Georgia and commander-in-chief 
of her forces. Would that the fact could be blotted out that 
he fell mortally wounded in a duel with Gen. Lachlan Mc- 
Intosh, and thus relieve his otherwise fair name of such a 
stigma. 

5. Baker, constituted December 12, 1825, and named af- 
ter Col. John Baker, of Revolutionary memory, and one of 
the early pioneer settlers of the St. John’s parish. 

6. Stewart, constituted December 30, 1830, and called 
after Gen. Daniel Stewart, a native of Liberty county, a 
member of Midway church, and another soldier of military 
fame. 

To what other community has the honor been given to 
give names to so many of the counties of a state? 


MILITARY. 


Of military men I mention the following: 

1. Col. John Baker. | regret exceedingly not to be able to 
speak with any certainty concerning the parentage or rela- 
tionship of Col. Baker. The common opinion seems to be 
that he was a son of Benjamin Baker, but I think this is 
clearly a mistake. Benjamin Baker had ason John, but he 
was ‘John Baker B.,’’ who died December 6, 1785, whereas 
Col. Baker died, according to the Georgia Gazette, June 3, 
1792. Inthe list under the ‘‘disqualifying act’’ Col. John 


- Baker is spoken of as ‘‘Senior.”’. John Baker B. had no son 


at that time that would secure to him the title of ‘‘Senior.”’ 


Ee Pie Ee a RA 


90 HISTORY OF MIDWAY CHURCH. 


Moreover, Mr. Benjamin Baker, in’ the records, speaks of ~ 
his ‘‘son John’’in contradistinction to “Col. John Baker,” 
and also another ‘John Baker,’’ who were also in the 
neighborhood at the time.’ 

There are three distinct branches of the Baker family in 
Liberty county, the descendants of whom, so far asI know, 
do not claim kin. 

1. William Baker, the deacon and grandfather of Dr. Dan- 
iel Baker, the evangelist. 

2. Benjamin Baker, the first settler, and Fist so many years > 
clerk of the church, and whose descendants are Rey. B. L. 
and R. Q. Baker. 

8. And then another branch to which Richard Baker, the 
early settler, stands related, and as its representative and 
among whom we so frequently meet with the names of John 
and Richard. I am satisfied that Col. Baker was a member 
of this branch of the family, and that the brothers, John and 
Richard, deceased, sons of Stephen Baker, and the brothers, 
John and Richard, Presbyterian ministers, sons of William 
Jeans Baker and cousins of the former, were related to him, 
but what the precise relationship is I am unable to say. The 
probability is that he was a brother or near relative of the 
“Richard Baker’’ mentioned above. 

But no matter whose son, he was a brave ddl gallant 
officer, first as the captain of the St. John’s Riflemen, a 
volunteer company, and afterwards made colonel by theleg- 
islature. He led the expedition against Florida, planned by 
Button Gwinnett, was wounded in an engagement at Bull- 
town Swamp, and participated in the capture of Augusta 
in 1781, and died as stated above, the county of Baker being 
named after him in commemoration of his gallant services. 

2. General James Screven. The grandson of Rev. William 
Screven, a Baptist minister, who came to this country from 
England to escape persecution, and who founded the first 
Baptist church in Charleston, S. C., and afterwards moved ~ 
to, and is said to have owned, the land upon which the town 
of Georgetown is built.. His father was James Screven and 
his mother Mary Hyrne, the daughter of the second Land- 


1. Pub. Ree. P. 64. 


MILITARY. 91 


grave Smith, of Charleston. Gen. Screven was born about 
1744, and married Mary (Esther)* Odingsell. He was not a 
member of the Midway church, but his wife was, being re- 
ceived August 18, 1771, and her sister, Elizabeth, being the 
wife of Rev. Moses Allen, at one time the pastor of the 
church. He was one of the patriotic leaders in the struggle 
for independence, being a member of the Provincial Congress 
that met at Savannah July 4, 1775, as a member from St. 
John’s parish. He was first captain of the St. John Ran- 
gers and afterwards made Brigadier General by the legisla- 
ture. He fell mortally wounded in a skirmish with the Brit- 
ish under Col. Provost, on Spencer Hill, one and a half mile 
south of Midway church, November 22, 1778. 

From the Midway Records and other sources we gather 
the following facts: 

That Col. White and himself had gathered an army to 
meet Col. Provost approaching from the South; that after 
an unsuccessful attempt at resistance at Newport Bridge 
on Saturday morning, they fell back to Midway church. On 


the next morning, Sunday, Gen. Screven and some of his 


party crossed the swamp to reconnoitre, but falling into an 
ambuscade he fell mortally wounded, receiving three wounds, 
one of which was inflicted after he had fallen. He was sent 
by flag of truce that evening by Captain Mittuc and eight 
men, placed in the Vestry House, treated by Dr. Dunwoody, 
removed afterwards to the house of John Elliott, Senior, 
where he breathed his last Tuesday, Nov. 24, 1778. Cap- 
tain Strother and Mr. Judah Lewis were killed in the same 
skirmish in which the general fell.* 

Col. Browne, in his letter to Dr. Ramsay, says of him: 


-“Hehad the character of a brave and worthy man. I 


sincerely felt for his misfortune and ordered him to be con- 
veyed to our camp, where every attention was paid to him 
by Col. Provost and every assistance given to him by our 
surgeons.’ So Holmes, in his Annals, says: ‘‘Gen. Screven 
was a very valuable officer and estimable man, and _ his 

1. The Records sometimes speaks of her as Mary and then at other times as Esther. 
Our only explanation is that her name was Mary Esther. 


2. See Pub. Rec. P. 62, White’s His. Coll. P. 615, and White’s Statistics P. 521. 3. 
White’s His. Coll. P. 616. 


J oy a ‘ 
92 HISTORY OF MIDWAY CHURCH. 


memory is still cherished at Midway, where he lived, and in. ei 


the immediate defense of which settlement he fell.’”! Nemes 
Concerning the monument ordered by congress to be 

erected to his memory, I give the following extracts from the 

Congressional Journal to set forth the facts in the case: 


JOURNALS OF CONGRESS U. S. 
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 1781. 


On motion of Mr. Walton. seconded by Mr. Telfair, 

Resolved, That the Legislature of the State of Georgia be desired to erect — 
a monument at Sunbury, in the said sfate, at the expense of the U. S., not — 
exceeding $500.00, to the memory of the late Brigadier General Screven, 
who fell, covered with wounds, fighting for the liberties of the United States. 


JOURNAL OF THE HOUSE, VOL. 4. J 
SENATE CHAMBER, 1801. 


A message from the Senate by Mr. Otis, their secretary— 

Mr. Speaker :—The Senate has passed the bill, entitled an “Act, to carry 
into effect several resolutions ot Congress, for erecting monuments to the 
memories of the late General Wooster, Harkeman, Davidson, and Screv- 
en,” to which they desire the concurrence of this house. 


MonDAY, JANUARY I0, 1803. 
Same Vol. on March 3, 1803. 

Ordered, that the committee of the whole house to whom were committed 
on the 24th of January last, the bill sent from the senate, entitled an “Act 
to carry into effect several resolutions of Congress, for erecting monuments 
to the memories of Generals Wooster, Harkeman, Davidson, and Screven,” 
and sundry amendments to the said bill, reported by a select committee, be 
discharged therefrom, and that the further consideration of the said bill and 
amendments be postponed until the first Monday in November next. 


To show the final action and fate of the bill, I need only 
give the following letter from Senator Bacon touching the 
matter: - 


UniITED STATES SENATE, March 1o, 1898. - 
REv. JAMES STACY, ie, 
Newnan, Georgia. : 
My Dear Sir :—Replying further to yours of the 17th ult. I herewith 
enclose you all that can be found in the proceedings of Congress relative to 
the erection of a monument to the memory of Gen. Screven at Sunbury. 


1. Vol. II P. 406. 


MILITARY. 93 


It seems that the resolution passed the Senate, was reported to the House 
and the House deferred action on the same until Nov., 1803, but after a dili- 


gent search it could not be found that the House ever considered the reso- 


lution after that. | 
: Yours very truly, A. O. Bacon. 


3. Major John Jones, the grandfather of the ministers, Drs. 


- Charles C. and John Jones, wasa native of Charleston, S. 
' C., but had removed to St. John’s parish and made Sunbury 


his home. He entered the war of the Revolution, became 
aid to Gen. McIntosh, and fell, struck by a cannon ball, in 
the unsuccessful attack upon Savannah on the morning of 
the 9th of October, 1779, the same day in which the noble 
Pulaski fell, a martyr to the cause of freedom. Jones street 
in Savannah was so named in honor ofhis memory, as appears 
from the following extract taken from the ‘‘Savannah Geor- 
gian,”’ William H. Bulloch editor, of date Friday, March 15, 
1839.; 


‘‘, TRIBUTE TO THE MEMORY OF THE BRAVE AND GOOD.”’ 


“The new street to be called Jones Street, it may be worthy of remark, is 
a compliment to the brave father of Captain Joseph Jones, of Liberty coun- 
ty, who fell within one hundred yards of the spot patriotically dedicated to 
his name, while fighting for the liberties of his country. Thus has posterity 
been grateful to one of the deliverers of this hemisphere from foreign 
thraldom.” 

From the same paper, same date and same column, we 
have an account of the City Council and its proceedings, of 
date of March 14, 1839, the day before the date of the pa- 
per, in which it was stated that council passed an ordi- 
nace laying off the three new streets, viz.: Macon, Charlton 
and Jones, and two new squares, viz.: Pulaski and Madison. 

I have felt it due to say this much, as it has been asserted 
and believed by many that said street was so named in hon- 
or of Hon. Noble Wymberley Jones. 

4. General Daniel Stewart, the son of John and Susannah 
Stewart, was born December 20, 1761, in Liberty county, 
entered the Revolutionary army when only fifteen years of 
age, was frequently in battle under Sumter and Marion, ta- 


1. Copy in Gd. His. Soc. Savannah. 


94. HISTORY OF MIDWAY CHURCH. 
ken a prisoner at Pocataligo and put on board a prison 
ship at Charleston, from which he made his escape with 
eight others, ona stormy night,! especially distinguished 
himself in the Indian wars after the revolution, at which 
time he was made a Brigadier General, and served in the legis- 
lature for quite a number of years. He was one of the com- 
mittee appointed by the church and society to write a letter 
to President Washington on his visit to Savannah in 1791, 
joined Midway church Nov. 23, 1822, died May 17, 1829, 
in the sixty-ninth year of his age, and was buriedin Midway 
cemetery, where his tomb may be seen. Among other de- 
scendants he has a grandson, Judge Henry J. Stewart, re- 
siding in Jasper, Florida. 

5. General Charles Claudius Witton The grandson of 
Josiah Wilson, who was clerk of Midway church for three 
years, from 1821 to 1824, and great grandson of Gen. Dan- 
iel Stewart, a lawyer and distinguished general during the 
late war, was born October 1, 1831, in Effingham county, 
to which his father removed. After three years’ service in 
the war he died at Ringgold, Ga., November 25, 1863. 
His remains were removed and deposited at Savannah, De- 
cember 1st of the same year. 

6. Adjutant General John Kell. Grandson of John Kell, — 
a citizen of St. John’s parish, and one of the signers of the 
articles of incorporation of the church and society. His 
great grandfather was Col. William: McIntosh, the son of — 
John McIntosh, Mohr, his grandmother, was Margery, 
the daughter of Col. William McIntosh and Mary Mackey, 
and was baptized by Rev. John Osgood, pastor of Midway 
church, at Sapelo September 14, 1754. Captain Kell was 
born January 26, 1823, entered naval service October 23, 
1846, on board ship Falmouth, commanded by Captain, 
afterwards Commodore, McIntosh. During the late war, 
was first on the Savannah, guarding the coast, then on the © 
Sumter, under Captain Semmes, afterwards on the Alabama 
first as First Lieutenant, afterwards as Captain, on account 
of services off Cape Hatteras, and at present Adjutant Gen- 
eral of the state of Georgia. 


1. Sherwood’s Gazetteer. 


MILITARY. 95 


THE MCINTOSH FAMILY. 


Among the military men of the county we might also men- 
tion the name of several of the McIntosh’s. Although thee 
were all the descendants of Col. John McIntosh, Mohr, tke 


_ chief of the clan that came over and settled with the Scot- 
_tish highlanders at New Inverness, near Darien, in 1736, and 


made the Altamaha district, now McIntosh county, named 
after them, their headquarters, they were nevertheless 
more or less associated with the Midway people, whose 
pastor, Rev. John Osgood, occasionally visited and preached 


_tothem. Some of the family lived awhile in Liberty. Col. 


James S. McIntosh was born there. Col. John McIntosh, a 
nephew of General Lachlan McIntosh, was in command of 
the fort at Sunbury November 25, 1778, when he sent that 
laconic answer to Col. Fuser, the British officer, who had 
demanded its surrender, ‘‘Come and take it.’”’ It was doubt- 


_ less during his stay in Liberty that his son, Col. James S 
- McIntosh, was born June 19, 1787, who fell mortally woun 


ded at Molino del Rey, and died in the city of Mexico Sept. 
26, 1847.1. Major Lachlan McIntosh, the brother of Col 


_ John McIntosh, and father of Commodore James M. MclIn- 


tosh, lived for awhile at Sunbury. Here his daughter, Miss 
Maria McIntosh, the authoress, was born in 1803, and if 
his son, Commodore James M. McIntosh, was not born 
there, he was so much identified with the people that when 
the Georgia state legislature in 1860 requested the governor 
to have his remains removed from the navy yard at Pensa- 
cola, Florida, where they had been deposited, they were 
carried and laid beside relatives and kindred in the Midway 
grave yard, where they now repose. Is it saying too much, 
therefore, that Liberty county has an interest in, and may 
justly lay claim to, a part at least of the fame and valorous 
deeds of this remarkable family ? 

Among the early prominent military men of the par- 
ish might also be mentioned the names of Major William 

1. The legislature of Georgia, a few months afterwards, ordered the removal of his 


body, which was carried to Savannah and deposited May 18, 1848, in the tomb with his 
grand uncle, Major General Lachlan McIntosh. 


. 96 HISTORY OF MIDWAY CHURCH. 


Baker and Captains Winn and Way and Maxwell and the 
notorious Bob Sallett, who seemed to have been a kind of 
independent sharpshooter, and who was especially a terror 
to the marauding bands of Tories and British. When a boy I 
heard the statement made that he had lost an only brother 

at their hand, and the purpose to avenge his death only 

made him the more reckless and determined. 


CONGRESSMEN. 


HON. BENJAMIN ANDREW. 


I first mention Hon. Benjamin Andrew, one of the original 
colony from Carolina, president of the first Executive Coun- 
cil, convened upon the election of John Adam Treutlin gov- 
ernor of Georgia in 1777, and three years afterwards elected 
a member of the Continental Congress, of whose home Bar- 
tram, in his travels, speaks of as ‘‘the seat of virtue, where 
hospitality, piety, and philosophy formed the happy family, 
where the weary traveler and stranger found a hearty wel- 
come, and from whence, it must be his own fault, if he de- 
parted without being greatly benefited.’ Te 

He was a man of wealth and influence, having two homes, 
a summer and a winter, one on the Riceboro road, which he 
afterwards sold to John Lambert, and one on Colonel’s Is- 
land. He was associate justice with George Walton for a 
number of years, also a member of the legislature. In later 
years he removed to Richmond county and made Augusta 
his home, and where he died. Mrs. Elizabeth Andrew Hill, 
of Griffin, Ga., and one of the vice-presidents of the “‘Daugh- 
ters of the Revolution,’’ is a great granddaughter of his. 


HON. JOHN ELLIOTT, U. S. SENATOR. 


The son of Col. John Elliott and grandson of John Elliott, 
one of the original settlers, was born in St. John’s parish 
October 24, 1773, baptized December 8, 1773, and six years — 
in the United States Senate from 1819 to 1825, married 


1. Travels P. 4. ig 


SENATOR. 


U.S 


’ 


JOHN ELLIOTT 


HON. 


as * 
4 ~ 
C fer 
: 
< 
* 
at 
* 
: 
7 
a 
F 


CONGRESSMEN, . 97 


Esther, daughter of Dr. James Dunwoody, October 1, 1795. 
The daughter, Esther Amarantha, born unto them married 
James Stephen Bullock, grandson of Archibald Bullock, 
president of the Provincial Congress that met in Savannah 
July 4, 1775, and first republican governor of Georgia. 


HON. JOHN A. CUTHBERT. 


Born in Savannah June 3, 1788, received into Midway 
church January 1,1815. His father a colonel in the Revo- 
lutionary war, graduated at Princeton 1805, law student 
im New York in 1809. In 1810 elected to the state legisla- 
ture from Liberty county, which county he continued to 
represent for years, during the war of 1812 commanded a 
volunteer company to protect the coast, in 1818 elected rep- 
resentative in congress on one general ticket, in 1831 be- 
came editor and subsequently proprietor of ‘‘The Federal 
Union,” a paper published at Milledgeville, in 1837 removed 
to Mobile, Alabama, to practice law, in 1840 elected judge 
of the county court of Mobile, and in 1852 appointed judge 
of the circuit court, and died near Mobile Sept. 22, 1861.1 


HON. ALFRED IVERSON, U. S. SENATOR. 


Born in Liberty county December 3, 1798.2 His father, 
Robert Iverson, and mother, Rebecca Jones, were both mem- 
_ bers of Midway church, his father being received July 2, 1790, 
and also one of the subscribers to the articles of incorpora- 
tion of the church. His son, Alfred, was graduated at 
Princeton in 1820, studied law and practiced at Columbus, 
Georgia, three times member of the legislature in the house, 
and once in the upper house, for seven years judge of supe- 
rior court for Columbus circuit, presidential elector in 1844, 
in 1846 chosen to congress, afterwards elected to United 
States Senate December 3, 1852, for a long time chairman 
of committee on Claims, withdrew on passage of Secession, 
= The Ee ecesédins say Burke county, but his brother, the late B. V. Iverson, of 
Macon, told me that Liberty was the place of his birth, where his father lived before 
going to Burke. So his daughter, Mrs. Branham, of Kirkwood, and his son, Judge Iver. 


son, of Kissimmee, Fla., write that they have always understood their father was born 
in Liberty county. 


G4! 
Ve akie vue 


c 


98 HISTORY OF MIDWAY CHURCH. — Sra 


entered the service as colonel of a regiment in Confederate. 
army, in November, 1862, became Brigadier General, and 
died in Macon March 4, 1873. 


HON. AUGUSTUS OCTAVIUS BACON, U. S. SENATOR. 


Son of Rev. Augustus O. Bacon and regular descendant of 
the early settlers. His father was a Baptist minister, reared 
in the bosom of the Midway church and society, spending 
one year at the Presbyterian Seminary at Columbia, S. C. 
His mother was Louisa Jones, daughter of Samuel Jones, 
and a member of Midway church. His parents both lie 
sleeping side by side in the old church yard at Midway. He 
himself was born in the adjoining county of Bryan October 
20, 1839, where his father was minister at the time, received 
his school education in Liberty county, graduated at the 


gUniversity in the literary department in 1859 and law in > 


1860, adjutant of Ninth Georgia Regiment C.S. A. 1861-2, 
subsequently captain in the provisional army on staff duty, 
practiced law in Macon 1866, president of the state demo- - 
cratic convention in 1880, delegate from state at large in 
convention at Chicago in 1884, presidential elector on dem- 
ocratic ticket in 1868, in 1871 elected to the Georgia House 
of Representatives, being a member for fourteen years, and 
for eight years Speaker of the House, candidate for govern- 


or of Georgia in 1883 and came within one vote of nomina- 


tion, and at present United States Senator, to which he was 
elected November, 1894. 


\ 


HON. WILLIAM B. FLEMING. 


Son of Wiliam and Catharine Fleming, born in Liberty 
county October 29, 1803, baptized*the December following, 
received into Midway church May 26, 1821, graduated at 
Yale College in 1824 or ’25, entered upon the practice of law 
in 1835 or ’36, removed to Savannah in the fall of 1837. Af- 


_ter service in the legislature, thrice judge of the Eastern cir- 


cuit, first from Nov. 11, 1845, to 1849, and second from 
Nov. 7, 1853, to 1868, and third from 1879 to 1881, one of 
the signers of the articles of Secession, though in favor of the 


HON. JOHN E. WARD. 


JURISTs. 99 


Union to the last moment, appointed in 1878 by Governor 


- Colquitt to fill the unexpired term of Hon. Julian Hartridge 
in Congress as Representative, and when there, refusing to 


meet on Sunday to wind up the business previous to ad- 
journment, feeling that such a meeting was a profanation 
of the Lord’s day. For this simple act, if no more, let his 
name be handed down to the latest generation as a worthy 


_ son of a worthy people. He died at Walthourville August 


19, 1886. 
JURISTS. 


HON. WILLIAM E. LAW. 


Celebrated jurist and advocate at the bar, son of Benja- 
min and Mary Law, members of the Midway congregation, 
born at Sunbury March 27, 1793, educated at Sunbury by 
Dr. MeWhir, removed to Savannah at nineteen years of age, 
taught schoolin Chatham academy and studied law at 
night; appointed judge of the Eastern Circuit by Governor 
John Forsyth May 12, 1829, retired from the bench June17, 
1834, joined Independent church at Savannah under the 
pastorate of Dr. Daniel Baker, soon after elected elder in 


_said church, and died in Savannah January 22, 1874. He 


was an eloquent ard forcible speaker, delivered the oration 
at the Centennial Celebration at Midway in 1852. The 
writer was present and heard it and well remembers the 
impression made 


HON. JOHN E. WARD. 


Jurist, advocate and diplomatist, the son of William and 
Annie Ward. His mother was the daughther of Maj. Lach- 
lan McIntosh and sister of Commodore J. M. McIntosh. 
He was born in Sunbury October 2, 1814, received into Mid- 
way church August, 1831. Ina letter to me he speaks of 
the ‘‘dear old church.’’ He entered upon the practice of law 
and removed to Savannah, Ga., in 1835, was solicitor of the 
Eastern Circuit in 1836, appointed U. S. District Attorney 


100 HISTORY OF MIDWAY CHURCH. 


in 1838, resigned to enter the State Legislature, returned to” ee 3 


the House in 1845 and 1853, when chosen speaker, was 


elected mayor of Savannah in 1854, in 1856, presided over 


the democt atic national convention that met in Cincinnati 


and nominated James Buchanan president, in 1857 entered 
the State Senate and was chosen president and acting Lieu- 


tenant Governor, resigning in 1858 on being appointed U. S. — 


minister to China, departed to his post in January, 1859, 
the first American or English minister, or of any other na- 
tion to visit Peking and hold a counsel with the officials of 
that great empire; Cushing and others who preceded him, 
being merely commissioners, he minister plenipotentiary. 
At the recent dinner given to Li Chung Hang, the illustrious 
ex-prime minister of China, at Waldorf’s, in New 
York, Aug. 29, 1896, the honor was put upon Mr. Ward to 
preside, lead the distinguished guest to the seat of honor, 
and read the toasts. Upon the secession of Georgia, Mr. 
Ward resigned his position as minister to China, though 
strongly opposed to the measure. In January, 1866, he re- 
moved from Savannah to New York, where he has since, 
and is still engaged in the practice of law. $ 


AUTHORS. 


REV. ABIEL HOLMES, D. D. aa 


Among the authors and writers we might mention the ~ 


name of Dr. Abiel Holmes, for six years pastor of the Mid- 
way church. His ‘‘Annals,’” two volumes, are to this day 
esteemed by scholars as a work of great merit. What influ- 
ence the church might exert over the son through the father 
can never be known. It is also worthy of note that Oliver 


Wendall Holmes, known everywhere as author of the ‘‘An- ~ 


tocrat of the Breakfast Table,’ and by his other numerous 
writings, was a son of Dr. Holmes, and was born in Cam- 
bridge, Mass., Aug. 29, 1809, after the removal of his father 
from Midway, and died in Boston October 7, 1894. 


AUTHORS. 101 


=> REV. JEDIDIAH MORSE, D. D. 


_ It might not be amiss just here likewise simply to call at- 
___ tention to the fact that Dr. Jedidiah Morse, so well known 
3 __ by his “American Gazetteer’’ and ‘“‘Elements of Geography,”’ 
___ and which books had such an extensive circulation as to 
give to him the title of ‘Father of American Geography,”’ 
__was for awhile in early life minister of Midway church. 


es REY. F. R. GOULDING. 


a Among the native writers we mention the name of Rev. F. 
R. Goulding, the author of ‘‘ Young Marooners,’’a book that 
not only bids fair to be, but actually has become, the rival 
of Robinson Crusoe in its claims upon the young. 

2 
pi COL. CHARLES C. JONES, JR., LL. D. 


Historian, biographer, and archaeologist, son of Rey. C. 
C. Jones, D. D., a native of Liberty county, was born in Sa- 
vannah, Ga., October 28, 1831, while his father was minis- 
ter there, returning with his parents the next year to Liberty 
county, where he was reared and trained, graduated at 
. Princeton in June, 1852, received diploma from law school 
; in Cambridge, Mass., in 1855, became junior partner of the 
: firm of Ward, Owens and Jones, alderman of Savannah in 
____ 1859, and mayor in 1860, a position seldom attained by one 
so young, entered the Confederate service as First Lieuten- 
: ant of the Chatham artillery, chief of artillery in the siege of 
_, Savannah in December, 1864, afterwards upon staff of Gen. 
_ Hardee. But chiefly has he excelled as a writer. His con- 

tributions in the direction of State Biography, History and 
_ Archaeology, especially the antiquities of the Southern In- 
___ dians, are numerous and valuable. To no manis the state 
of Georgia more indebted for contributions to her historical 
record, and for original researches, both in this country and 
Europe. His Miscellanies, Historical and Biographical 
sketches, Reminiscences, Memorials and Addresses on vari- 
ous occasions, too numerous to mention, are exceedingly 


valuable and will be more appreciated with the flight of é: 


time. But especially are we indebted to him for his history _ 


of Georgia, of which Bancroft the historian, said, “It 
was the finest state history he had ever read, and that its — 
high qualities fairly entitled its author to be called the Mac- 
aulay of the South.”” Weare also largely indebted for the 
transcription and publication, for which he was employed — 
by the state, of the old Colonial acts from 1735 to 1774, 
and also the transaction of the Trustees of the Colony, by — 
Hon. John Percival, earl of Egmont. He died at his home 
on the Sandhills near Augusta, July 19, 1893, leaving a son, 
Charles Edgeworth Jones, walking in the steps of his 
father, and who is fast acquiring a reputation as a writer 
of learning and ability. . 


MISS MARIA M’CINTOSH. 


In the list of lady authors we mention the name of Miss 
Maria McIntosh, the daughter of Major Lachlan McIntosh, 
and half sister of Commodore James M. McIntosh and of 
the mother of Hon. John E. Ward, the writer of so many 
volumes, born in Sunbury in 1803, and died in Morristown, 
N.J., February 25, 1878. 


MEDICINE. 


In the department of medicine might be mentioned the 
names of Drs. Dunwoody and Axson, army surgeons, and 
later that of Dr. J. M. B. Harden, born in Bryan county 
January 19, 1810, and died at Tallahassee, Fla., February 
16, 1848, who was particularly skilled in the sciences allied 
to his profession, as chemistry and botany, and had made 
great progress in astronomy, geology, conchology, zoology. 
Dr. Harden married Miss Jane LeConte, the sister of the 
celebrated professors, and has left a son, Judge John L. Har- 
den, who is the secretary of the Midway Society and Mon- 
umental Association. 


CIVIL ENGINEERING. 103 


PROF. JOSEPH JONES, M. D., LL. D. 


Brother of Charles C. Jones, jr., and son of Rev. C. C. 
Jones, D. D., was born in Liberty county September 6, 1833, 
graduated in medicine in University of Pennsylvania 1855, 
elected the same year to the chair of professor of chemistry 
in Savannah Medical College, in 1858 elected to chair of 


natural philosophy and natural theology in University of 


Georgia, in 1859 elected to the chair of chemistry in Medical 
College in Augusta, for six months in Confederate cavalry 
service during the war, for the rest of the time full surgeon 
in the army, to whom important places and duties were as- 
signed ; and he improved the splendid opportunities affordea 
by army life for the study of fevers and various other dis- 
eases which were duly published in the various medical jour- 
nals. His contributions to medical science were frequent 
and valuable, his great work being ‘‘Medical and Surgical 
Memories,’”’ upon which he was engaged during the later 
years of his life. In 1867 he was elected to a professorship 
in the Medical College of Nashville, Tennessee, in 1868 
elected to the chair of chemistry and chemical medicine in 
Tulane University in New Orleans, elected and ordained a 
Ruling Elder in the First Presbyterian church of Augusta, 
Ga., was an Elder in the Napolean Avenue church, New Or- 
leans, at the time of his death February 17, 1896. 


CIVIL ENGINEERING. 


In the department of Civil Engineering I mention the 
name of Grant Wilkins, son of Joseph C. and Mary E. Grant 


‘Wilkins, born i: Liberty county February 20, 1843. His 


father was a member of Midway church, received December 
14, 1833, when only fifteen years old. The subject of this 
notice remained in Liberty county until 1860. In 1861 en- 
listed as private in the Troup county artillery, after service 
in various departments in the war, entered the civil engi- 
neering service of the government in 1867. In 1868 went into 
business for himself, making the construction of bridges his 
specialty, and in his line is regarded as one of the leading 


104 HISTORY OF MIDWAY CHURCH. _ Le 
architects in the country. He was a member of the Board 
of Directors of the Cotton States and International Expo- 
sition, and as chief of construction, drew all the plans for 

the laying off the grounds. He was the engineer of the At- — 
lanta Forsyth Street Bridge, which structure will everstand 

as a monument of his engineering skill and ability. . 


PROFESSORS AND TEACHERS. 


Among the professors and teachers might be mentioned 
the namesof Rey. Drs. Thomas Goulding and C. C. Jones, pro- 
fessors at Columbia Theological Seminary. Rev. Dr. William 
MecWhir, who, though not a native, claimed Liberty county 
as his adopted home, and who for many years maintained 
one of the most celebrated and extensively patronized 
schools in the state. Rev. P. H. Mell, D. D., professor at 
Mercer College,afterwards professor and then chancellor 
of the State University, at Athens, Ga., who also has a son, 
P. A. Mell, jr., professor at the State Military School at 
Auburn, Alabama, and the Rev. Messrs. J. W. Baker and 
Donald Fraser, D. D., professors at Oglethorpe University. 


PROFS. JOHN AND JOSEPH LECONTE. 


These two celebrated brothers of world-wide reputation 
as scientists, were born in Liberty county. Their father, 
Dr. Louis LeConte, a signer of the articles of incorporation, 
their mother, Miss Ann Quarterman, a devoted member of 
the Midway church; the former son born December 4, 1818, 
the latter, September 26, 1823; the former baptized Februa- 
ry, 1819, the latter in November, 1823. Both for awhile 
taught by A. H. Stephens. Both graduated with distinc 
tion at Athens. Both studied medicine. After the practice 
of medicine for two years in Savannah, John accepted the 
chair of chemistry and physics at Athens. Joseph also prac- 
ticed a short while in Macon, Ga., then took a course under 
Agassiz, after which he was elected to the chair of natural 
history in the old Oglethorpe College, where, after a short 
time he went to the University of South Carolina at Colum- 
bia, where his brother had already been located a year. He 


PROF. JOSEPH LeCONTE. 


PROF. JOHN LeCONTE. 


eS AW PRHORS. “101 


REY. JEDIDIAH MORSE, D. D. 


It might not be amiss just here likewise simply to call at- 
tention to the fact that Dr. Jedidiah Morse, so well known 


by his “American Gazetteer” and ‘“‘Elements of Geography,” 


and which books had such an extensive circulation as to 
give to him the title of “Father of American Geography,” 
was for awhile in early life minister of Midway church. 


REY. F. R. GOULDING. 


Among the native writers we mention the name of Rev. F. 
R. Goulding, the author of ‘‘ Young Marooners,’’a book that 
not only bids fair to be, but actually has become, the rival 
cf Robinson Crusoe in its claims upon the young. 


COL. CHARLES C. JONES, JR., LL. D. 


Historian, biographer, and archaeologist, son of Rev. C. 
C. Jones, D. D., a native of Liberty county, was born in Sa- 
vannah, Ga., October 28, 1831, while his father was minis- 
ter there, returning with his parents the next year to Liberty 
county, where he was reared and trained, graduated at 
Princeton in June, 1852, received diploma from law school 
in Cambridge, Mass., in 1855, became junior partner of the 
firm of Ward, Owens and Jones, alderman of Savannah in 
1859, and mayor in 1860, a position seldom attained by one 
so young, entered the Confederate service as First Lieuten- 
ant of the Chatham artillery, chief of artillery in the siege of 
Savannah in December, 1864, afterwards upon staff of Gen. 
Hardee. But chiefly has he excelled as a writer. His con- 
tributions in the direction of State Biography, History and 
Archaeology, especially the antiquities of the Southern In- 
dians, are numerous and valuable. Tono manis the state 
of Georgia more indebted for contributions to her historical 
record, and for original researches, both in this country and 
Europe. His Miscellanies, Historical and Biographical 
sketches, Reminiscences, Memorials and Addresses on vari- 
Ous occasions, too numerous to mention, are exceedingly 


fa 


1Go' HISTORY OF MIDWAY CHURCH. 


valuable and will be more appreciated with the flight of 
time. But especially are we indebted to him for his history 

of Georgia, of which Bancroft the historian, said, “It 
was the finest state history he had ever read, and that its 

high qualities fairly entitled its author to be called the Mac- 

aulay of the South.’’ Weare also largely indebted for the 

transcription and publication, for which he was employed 

by the state, of the old Colonial acts from 1735 to 1774, _ 
and also the transaction of the Trustees of the Colony, by 

Hon. John Percival, earl of Egmont. He died at his home 
on the Sandhills near Augusta; July 19, 1893, leaving a son, 

Charles Edgeworth Jones, walking in the steps of his 

father, and who is fast acquiring a reputation as a writer 
of learning and ability. 


MISS MARIA M’CINTOSH. 


In the list of lady authors we mention the name of Miss 
Maria McIntosh, the daughter of Major Lachlan McIntosh, 


and half sister of Commodore James M. McIntosh and of 7 


the mother of Hon. John E. Ward, the writer of so many 
volumes, born in Sunbury in 1803, and died in Morristown, 
N.J., February 25, 1878. 


MEDICINE. 


In the department of medicine might be mentioned the 
names of Drs. Dunwoody and Axson, army surgeons, and 
later that of Dr. J. M. B. Harden, born in Bryan county 
January 19, 1810, and died at Tallahassee, Fla., February 
16, 1848, who was particularly skilled in the sciences allied 
to his profession, as chemistry and botany, and had made 
great progress in astronomy, geology, conchology, zoology. 
Dr. Harden married Miss Jane LeConte, the sister of the 
celebrated professors, and has left a son, Judge John L. Har- 
den, who is the secretary of the Midway Society and Mon- 
umental Association. 


ms 


2 oes CIVIL.ENGINBERING. - -- 108 


PROF. JOSEPH JONES, M. D., LL. DP. 


Brother of Charles C. Jones, jr.. and son of Rev. C. C. 
Jones, D. D., was born in Liberty county September 6, 1833, 
graduated in medicine in University of Pennsylvania 1855, 
elected the same year to the chair of professor of chemistry 
in Savannah Medical College, in 1858 elected to chair of 
natural philosophy and natural theology in University of 
Georgia, in 1859 elected to the chair of chemistry in Medical 
College in Augusta, for six months in Confederate cavalry 
service during the war, for the rest of the time full surgeon 
in the army, to whom important places and duties were as- 
signed ; and he improved the splendid opportunities afforded 
by army life for the study of fevers and various other dis- 
eases which were duly published in the various medical jour- 

nals. His contributions to medical science were’ frequent 
and valuable, his great work being ‘(Medical and Surgical 
Memories,’’ upon which he was engaged during the later 
years of his life. In 1867 he was elected to a professorship 
in the Medical College of Nashville, Tennessee, in 1868 
elected to the chair of chemistry and chemical medicine in 
Tulane University in New Orleans, elected and ordained a 
Ruling Elder in the First Presbyterian church of Augusta, 
Ga., was an Elder in the Napolean Avenue church, New Or- 
leans, at the time of his death February 17, 1896. 


CIVIL ENGINEERING. 


In the department of Civil Engineering I mention the 
name of Grant Wilkins, son of Joseph C. and Mary E. Grant 
Wilkins, born in Liberty county February 20, 1843. His 
father was a member of Midway church, received December 
14, 1833, when only fifteen years old. The subject of this 
notice remained in Liberty county until 1860. In 1861 en- 
listed as private in the Troup county artillery, after service 
in various departments in the war, entered the civil engi- 
neering service of the government in 1867. In 1868 wentinto 
business for himself, making the construction of bridges his 
specialty, and in his line is regarded as one of the leading 


104 HISTORY OF MIDWAY CHURCH. 


architects in the country. He was a member of the Board — 


of Directors of the Cotton States and International Expo- 
sition, and as chief of construction, drew all the plans for 
the laying off the grounds. He was the engineer of the At- 
lanta Forsyth Street Bridge, which structure will everstand 
as a monument of his engineering skill and ability. 


PROFESSORS AND TEACHERS. 


Among the professors and teachers might be mentioned 
the namesof Rey. Drs. Thomas Goulding and C. C. Jones, pro- 
fessors at Columbia Theological Seminary. Rev. Dr. William 
MeWhir, who, though not a native, claimed Liberty county 
as his adopted home, and who for many years maintained 


one of the most celebrated and extensively patronized 


schools in the state. Rev. P. H. Mell, D. D., professor at 
Mercer College, afterwards professor and then chancellor 
of the State University, at Athens, Ga., who also has a son, 
P. A. Mell, jr., professor at the State Military School at 
Auburn, Alabama, and the Rev. Messrs. J. W. Baker and 
Donald Fraser, D. D., professors at Oglethorpe University. 


PROFS. JOHN AND JOSEPH LECONTE, 


These two celebrated brothers of world-wide reputation 
as scientists, were born in Liberty county. Their father, 
Dr. Louis LeConte, a signer of the articles of incorporation, 
their mother, Miss Ann Quarterman, a devoted member of 
the Midway church; the former son born December 4, 1818, 
the latter, September 26, 1823; the former baptized Februa- 
ry, 1819, the latter in November, 1823. Both for awhile 
taught by A. H. Stephens. Both graduated with distine- 
tion at Athens. Both studied medicine. After the practice 
of medicine for two years in Savannah, John accepted the 
chair of chemistry and physics at Athens. Joseph also prac- 
ticed a short while in Macon, Ga., then took a course under 
Agassiz, after which he was elected to the chair of natural 
history in the old Oglethorpe College, where, after a short 
time he went to the University of South Carolina at Colum- 
bia, where his brother had already been located a year. He 


PROFESSORS AND TEACHERS. 105 


remained in Columbia fourteen years, leaving with his 
brother to accept positions in the University of California 
at Berkeley in 1869. Prof. John LeConte is known as the 
father of the University of California. Under the care and 
guidance of himself and brother from an institution of thirty- 
eight pupils and no income, it became a school with 1200 
pupils and an income of over $350,000. These brothers 
were never separated from the time Joseph left Oglethorpe 
for Athens, with the exception of the one year in which John 
preceded him to Columbia, until his death which occurred 
‘April, 1891. The works of these two brothers are known 
in all scientific circles of the world. The work of Prof. Jo- 
seph LeConte on Geology is used as a text book in nearly all 
of the colleges of the country. He still lives at the Universi- 
ty of California. Mrs. Emma LeConte Furman, his daugh- 
ter, and wife of the late Farish C. Furman, author of the 
celebrated Furman Compost, still lives and conducts the 
farm successfully on a scientiac basis. 


DR. WILLIAM LOUIS JONES. 


Son of William and Mary (Roberts) Jones, members of 
Midway church, born in Liberty county March 27, 1827, 
graduated at University of Georgia in 1845, took degree of 
M. D. in college of Surgeons and Physicians, in New York, 
in 184.5, and degree of Bachelor of Science in Lawrence Sci- 
entific School at Harvard in 1851, elected professor of Nat- 
ural History in University of Georgia in 1851 and resigned 
in 1852, re-elected in 1861 and resigned in 1872. In 1886 
elected professor of Agriculture in University of Georgia, and 
in 1889 Director of Georgia Experimental Station until re- 
moved to Griffin in 1890. In 1891 resigned his professor- 
ship in the University, and in the autumn of 1867 his father 
purchased the ‘‘Southern Cultivator” and ran it jointly till 
1872, when he became sole proprietor and editor, and so 
continued till 1887 (twenty years). He is still living in At- 
lanta and a regular contributor to the same. 


MILTON E. BACON. 


Among other teachers, I mention the name of Milton EH. 
Bacon, founder of one of the celebrated Female Colleges in 
LaGrange, Ga, He was the fourth son of Thomas and — 


Sarah Bacon, and a regular descendant of the early settlers, 


the church record giving an account of the marriage of his® 
parents and grandparents, and also of some of the children. 
He was born in Liberty county July 22, 1818, graduated at 
the State University in 1836, and married Mary ‘Lu. 
cilla Wilson, daughter of Major Josiah Wilson, and grand- 
daughter of General Daniel Stewart, December 10, 1841. In — 
1843 he took charge of the Female College established in 
LaGrange, Ga., by Rev. John E. Dawson, Baptist minister, 
and had it chartered as a Female Seminary in 1845, over 
which he continued to preside with marked success till 1855, 
when he removed to Aberdeen, Mississippi, to take charge 
of the Female College in that place, where he remained till 
1861, when he became professor in the Judson Female Col- 
lege, Alabama, returning to Aberdeen in 1872, being made 
President of the Female College at Winona, Mississippi, in 
1879, which position he filled till his death May 10, 1886. 
After his removal from LaGrange, Mr. C. C. Cox, who 
married his youngest daughter, Mary, in 1851 as 
sumed the presidency. Though the original building was 
burned in 1864, when used as a hospital, the school still © 
continues and flourishes, together with its twin sister gone 
out from it, known as the ‘“‘Southern Female College,” re- 


cently established at College Park, near Atlanta, in (1895, ; 


and under the control of his descendants. 


SAMUEL MCWHIR VARNEDOE. < 


Named after Dr. McWhir, and son of Nathaniel Varnedoe, 


a deacon in the church, was born in Liberty county August 
3, 1816, received into Midway church February 25, 1832, 
Hon. A. H. Stephens, one of his teachers, graduatedat Frank- 
lin College in 1836, represented the county twice in the leg- | 

islature, a teacher at Jonesville for a number of years, in 


, Or, Aiea, and Breident of the Board of Trade, was the 

first captain of the Valdosta Videttes, and now the popular 
— and accomplished colonel of the Fourth Georgia Regiment, 
i of which it is a part. ‘ 


JOHN B. MALLARD. 


ee =< of John and Lydia Mallard, born September 18, 1808, 
aptized October 16, 1308, speat one year at the Theolog- 


way harks 11a 118 38 said died at Walthonre ille Fad bio 1877. 


a PROF. JOHN E. BAKER. 


“Among the teachers now living, I mention Prof. John E. 
oe son of W. Q. Baker,-born ia Liberty county March 
22, 1833, graduated at Oglethorpe College in 1859, received 
- into Midway church May 15, 1862, first a teacher at 
Fletcher Institute at Thomasville, Gai in 1866, and after. 
‘wards president of “Young Female College,” in the same 
_- place in 1869, which place he still holds. 

= ak 5 


PROF: WILLIAM HENRY BAKER. 
: Beotber of the above, bom in Liberty county September ° 


. ae 


108 HISTORY OF MIDWAY CHURCH. 


1, 1834, received into Midway church May 15, 1852, grad- 3 
uated at Oglethorpe College in 1859, made superintendent 


of the Public Schools in Savannah in 1866, and which posi- 
tion he filled for twenty years. 


COL. SAMUEL B. SPENCER. 


Son of William and Sarah Spencer, born in Liberty county — 
December 27, 1827, received into Midway church February 
19, 1842, graduated at Oglethorpe College in 1848, taught 


school for several years in Lumpkin, Ga., entered upon the 
practice of law in 1853, was mayor of the city of Atlanta in 
1874, and for a number of years and still is a teacher in the 
Public Schools in Savannah, Georgia. 


PROF. EDGAR T. WAY. 


Born in Walthourville, Liberty county, December 21, 1835, ~ 


received into Midway church November 19, 1853, gradua- 
ted at South Carolina College in December, 1856, Principal 
of the Massey Public School in Savannah since 1868, elected 


a Ruling Elder in the First Presbyterianc hurchin Savannah, 


which position he still fills. 


Zz - 


PROF. SAMUEL DOWSE BRADWELL. 


Son of James S. Bradwell and grandson of Thomas Brad- 


well, Major in the war of 1812, was born near Hinesville, 


Liberty county, January 5, 1840, graduated at Oglethorpe — 


College in 1859, was captain in the war, of ‘Liberty Volun- 


teers,’ for twenty years principal of the Hinesville Institute, | 


(where his father taught before him), at the same time ed- 
iting the ‘‘Hinesville Gazette;’’ his school being patronized 


by students from fifteen counties, was elector on the Han-— 


cock and English ticket, unsuccessful candidate for congress 
in 1886, State Senator in 1888-9, at which time chairman 
of the committee on Public Schools, appointed by Governor 
Northen State Commissioner for four year, 1891-95, elected 
President of State Normal School at Athens in 1895, which 
position he still fills. As evidence of his popula thirty- 
two children have been named after him. 


| 


PRESBYTERIAN MINISTERS. 109 


_ Were it necessary I could give quite a number of other 
teachers, as the Dunhams, the Stevens, the Bakers, the 
Cassels, the Ways, the Quartermans, as well as lawyers, 
doctors and other professionals, to say nothing of leading 
business men, who have goneout byscores, and making their 
impress felt upon every part of the country. We find them 
everywhere scattered over the whole land, and when found 
usually in the front. When Cyneas, the ambassador of Pyr- 
rhus, after his return from Rome, was asked by his master 
what he thought of the city and state, he answered, ‘that 
it seemed to him to be a state ofnone but great statesmen 
and a commonwealth of kings.’’ No onecan look over the 
foregoing list without being deeply impressed with the great 
honor put upon that little church and community. : 


CHAPTER IX. 


MINISTERS OF THE GOSPEL. 


But the greatest honor put upon the church and colony 
is the great number of ministers that have gone out from 
them, and their descendants, there being fifty Presbyterians, 
seventeen Baptists, thirteen Methodists, and one Episcopal- 
ian, making a total of eighty-one, as appears from the follow- 
ing list: 


PRESBYTERIAN. 


1. REV. THOMAS GOULDING, D. D. 
The first native born Presbyterian minister in Georgia, 


1. That is of our own branch. Dr. Isaac Grier, the grandfather of Dr. W. M. Grier, now 

resident of Erskine College, Due West, S C., of the Associate Reiormed Church, was 
ori in Greene county, Ga., in 1776. Over the grave of this mother, Margaret Grier, who 
lies in the Sardis burying ground, Mecklenburg, N.C., is a head stone, with this in- 
seription: ‘‘The mother of the first Presbyterian minister born in Georgia,—Spragnes’ 
Annals, Vol. 1X, P. 110. 


110 HISTORY OF MIDWAY CHURCH. 


the son of Thomas Goulding and Margaret Stacy, (grand 
aunt of the writer), was born in Liberty county March 14, 
1786, dedidated to the Lord in baptism June 25th of the 
same year, received into Midway church, with thirteen oth- 


ers, April 29, 1810, taught school at Sunbury and Baisden’s © 


Bluff, in McIntosh county, licensed by Harmony Presbytery 
October 31, 1813, ordained and installed pastor of White 
Bluff church, near Savannah, January 27, 1816, and sup- 


plying the same till 1822, removing then to Lexington, Ga., © 


where he remained for eight years, and where he exerted an 
influence over some of the first minds in the state, which is 
now telling and will forever tell on the best interests of men. 
Among others while here, he received into the church 
the Chief Justice, Joseph Henry Lumpkin, who after- 
wards became his ruling elder for a number of years. While 
at Lexington he also established and taught a Theological 
class for one year, when being elected professor of Ecclesi- 
astical History and Church Government in Columbia Theo- 
logical Seminary in 1828, to which he removed and where 
he remained till January, 1835, when he became pastor of 
the church at Columbus, Ga., and which position he filled 
till his death June 21, 1848, and leaving among others, a 
son who became a minister, and two daughters who be- 
came ministers’ wives; one the wife of Rev. William M. Reid, 
of South Carolina, and the other of Rev. Francis McMurray, 
of Georgia. By the appointment of the General Assembly, 
which divided the Synod of South Carolina, he preached the 
opening sermon at the meeting of the Synod of Georgia at 
Macon November 20, 1845, and was elected its first mod- 
erator. At the time of his death he was in the sixty-third 
year of his age, and the thirty-fifth of his ministry. 


2. REV. ROBERT QUARTERMAN. 


The son of Thomas and Rebecca Quarterman and grand 
son of that remarkable man, John Quarterman, one of the 
original settlers, was born in Liberty county January 13, 
1787, baptized February 4th of the same year, received into 
Midway church June 10, 1809, with five others, elected as 


REV. DANIEL BAKER, D.D. 


PREEBYTERIAN MINISTERS. et 


Beacon oF the church November 23, 1811, captain of the 
ey aberty Infantry, encamped at Darien, at one time during 
_ the war of 1812, received as a candidate of Harmony Pres- 
bytery at White Bluff, licensed by said Presbytery Novem- 
ber 19, 1819, at Columbia, South Carolina, ordained pas- 
tor of Midway church May 27, 1823, by Georgia Presby- 
ry,! and continued pastor for twenty-six years, in the 
aithful discharge of his duty, honored and reverenced by 
all, until impaired health in 1847 constrained him to tender 
his resignation, which the people of his charge reluctantly 
accepted, at the same time, however, voting him the posi- 
tion of ‘‘Honorary pastor,” with an annuity of $300 till his 
_ death, which occurred April 19, 1849. His remains were 
buried in Midway cemetery. He was the first native pastor 
born in the colony after the removal from Carolina, Mr. 
Osgood being the only one in that state. It has been said 
_ of him, “Take him all in all and his equal was rarely found.” 
_ A man of fine physique, in theology sound, his preaching 
‘ olid, his life consistent, his end calm and peaceful. Four of 
his sons became ministers, one of whom a Foreign Mission- 
ary, two of his daughters ministers’ wives, one of whom 
wasa missionary to China for sixteen years. 


x 


3. REV. DANIEL BAKER, D. D. 


_ Was born in Liberty county August 17,1791, and baptized 
_ October 2d of the same year. He was the son of William 
Baker, a deacon in Midway church—his grand-father, Wil- 
- Tiam Baker, being also a deacon. His mother was Elizabeth 
Dunham. He was received into the College church Hamp- 
den Sidney April 9, 1805, while at school there, though he 
said he believed he was converted at Midway when about 
’ 14 years of age.2 Entered the junior class and graduated at 
Princeton in 1815. Licensed by Winchester Presbytery at 
_ Leesburg, Va., 1816—supplying the churches in Rockingham 
county till ecdaincd and settled in Harrisonburg, Va., March 
5, 1818. While at Harrisonburg, taught ethook having 
among his pupils Gessner Harrison and Henry Tutwilder, 


# aN Formed from Harmony Presbytery, by Syd of South Carolina and gears, at its 
4 ad at Washington, Wilkes county, Noy. 7, 1821. 2. Life by his son, P. 34 


q412 HISTORY OF MIDWAY CHURCH. 


subsequently distinguished professors, the former in the 


University of Virginia, and the latter in the LaGrange Col- 


lege, Alabama. Left Virginia in 1821 and became pastor of 
the Second Church at Washington, D. C., where he remained 
until 1828, where he became pastor of the Independent 
Presbyterian Church of Savannah, Ga., where he remained 


until entering fully in 1830 upon the evangelistic work—from _ 


which time traveling extensively over the country, holding 
protracted meetings. The results of these missionary la- 
bors, eternity will alone reveal. As the fruit of one single 
meeting held at Beaufort, S.C.,in 1831, eight ministers went 
out.1 Among the number of converts, were Rey. Dr. Richard 
Fuller, of the Baptist church; Rev. Stephen Elliott, Episco- 


pal Bishop of Georgia, and Hon. R. W. Barnwell, member ~ 


of Congress and president of South Carolina College. He 
published a little work, ‘‘Baptism in a Nutshell,” “Affection- 
ate Addresses to Fathers and Mothers,’’ and also a vol- 
ume of ‘‘Revival Sermons.’’ The last few years of his life he 
spent in establishing and endowing the Presbyterian College 
at Austin, Texas, of which he was it first president. After 
forty-one years of successful labor, he died at Austin, Texas, 
December 10, 1857; leaving among other children, three 
sons, who also become ministers. 


4. REV. CHARLES COLCOCK JONES, D. D. 


The son of Capt. John Jones and Susannah Girardeau, was 
born in Liberty county December 20, 1804. Baptized June 


9, 1805, received into Midway church November 28, 1823, 
with twenty-seven others. Studied under Dr. MeWhir at 
Sunbury, licensed by New Brunswick Presbytery, (N. J.) in — 


the spring of 1830. Ordained by Georgia Presbytery No- 
vember 27, 1831; elected and continued stated supply of 
the First Presbyterian Church, Savannah, Ga., for the year 
till November, 1832, when he became missionary to the col- 
ored people of Liberty county; elected professor of Ecclesias- 
tical History in the Theological Seminary at Columbia, 
S. C., in 1836; returned to Liberty county to his work 


1. Life by his son, P. 155. 


= Dowell as secretary of the Assembly’s Domestic Missions (of 


> 


Uo Aste de) , i, ae 


bares 


“# 


if ee hee Le Ore 


> - 


7S 


= 
3 
2 


PRESBYTERIAN MINISTERS. 113 


-among the colored people in 1838; reelected pro- 


fr: fessor of the same chair at Columbia 1848, remaining there 


—till1850. On the night of April 9, 1850, his house with all 


- his lectures, papers, and library being burned, and being 


elected to the office, he became successor to Dr. W. A. Mc- 


the old undivided church), and residing at Philadelphia until 
the fall of 1853, when his health failing he returned to his 
home in Liberty county, laboring as he could among the col- 


___ ored people till his death, which occurred March 16, 1863. 


Dr. Jones will be handed down to future generations as 
the “‘Apostle to the colored people.”” While laboring among 
them, he wrote a book on the ‘Religious Instruction of the 
Negroes,”’ in addition his annual reports, which were widely 
circulated and read. He also prepared a catechism for their 

_ oral instruction, which was generally used in the South, and 
which has been translated into different heathen languages 
for the use of foreign missionaries. His chief work is his 
“Church of God,” published after his death by hisson. He 
left three children—the eldest, Hon. Charles C. Jones, Jr., 
LL. D., a distinguished writer and an author of several 
works, among them, a history of Georgia; the second, Dr. 
Joseph Jones, a physician, and for years professor in the 
Tulane Medical College at New Orleans, and a daughter, 
who became the wife of Rev. R. Q. Mallard, D. D., of New 
Orleans. 


5. REV. SAMUEL JONES CASSELS. 


Son of Elias and Sarah (Jones) Cassels, born at Cannou- 
chee, Liberty county, February 24,1806; received into Mid- 
way church March 2, 1823; graduated at Athens August 6, 

_ 1828, with the highest academic honors; licensed by Hope- 
well Presbytery, and ordained by the same at Augusta, Ga., 
February 17, 1829; settled at Washington, Ga., in 1832, 

~ installed pastor of the church at Macon, Ga., in 1837; re- 
moved to Norfolk, Va., and became pastor of the church at 
that place i in 1841. fis health failing, removed to Savan- 
nah,.Ga., in the spring of 1846, from that time principal of 
‘the Chatham Academy till his death—June 15, 1853. 


114 HISTORY OF MIDWAY CHURCH. 


He was the author of several works, and a man of elo- 
quence and remarkable power in the pulpit. An invalid for 


several years, he wrote an interesting series of letters forthe 


‘“‘Southern Presbyterian”’ over the nom de plume, ‘“‘Paul the 
Prisoner.’’ In accordance with his request, he was buried in ~ 
Midway cemetery. At the centennial of the old church De- 
cember 5 to 7, unable to be present, he sent the following 
toast to be offered in his name, and which the writer well 
remembers hearing when read: ‘‘Liberty county, the place 
of my first and second birth, to be the place of my third.” 
‘“‘The change is coming,’’ were his last words, and calmly 
folding his hands upon his breast, quietly breathed his last. 


= 


6. REV. FRANCIS ROBERT GOULDING. 


Son of Dr. Thomas and Ann (Holbrook) Goulding, was 
born in Liberty county September 28,1810; baptized March 
23, 1811; received into the church at Lexington, Ga., No- 
vember, 1828, where his father was pastor; licensed by 
Charleston Union Presbytery at Walterboro, S. C., in 1833. 
His first charge Concord and Harmony churches, §. C. 
Nine years minister at Greensboro, Waynesboro, and Bath, 
Ga. Forsome time agent of Publication Society and Sea- 
man’s Friend at Charleston, S.C; teacher for awhile at 
Kingston, Ga.; for six years pastor at Darien, until the war; 
chaplain in the Confederate army; first inventor of a sew- 
ing machine.! His was a busy pen—hbesides writing largely 
for papers and periodicals, he was the author of four books, 
among them “The Young Marooners,”’ already translated 
into several languages, and a book that will render his name 
immortal. He died at Roswell, Ga., August 22, 1881, after 
a ministry of forty-eight years. 


7. JOHN WYCKLIFFE BAKER, D. D. 


The son of William Jeans and Elizabeth (Way) Baker, was 
born in Liberty county January 24,1811; graduated at the 
State University August 6, 1828, and Princeton Seminary, 


1. The writer saw the remains of it at his home at Bath, in the summer of 1848. 


PRESBYTERIAN MINISTERS. 115 


1835; licensed by New Brunswick Presbytery August 5, 
1835; ordained by Hopewell Presbytery November 26, 1836; 
pastor of the Milledgeville Church, Ga., for sixteen years; 
_ also professor of ancient languages in Oglethorpe College 
_ for seven years; at same time supplying in part, Sparta and 
Eatonton churches. His health failing, taught a private 
school in Marietta, Georgia, fur one year, elected professor 
of Moral Philosophy and Evidences of Christianity, in the 
Military Institute at said place until broken up by the civil 
-war, taught school in the Richmond Academy, on the Sand 
Hills, near Augusta, Ga., ministered to different churches 
around Marietta, among others Smyrna church, for more 
than twenty years; and for thirty years stated clerk of the 
Presbytery of Cherokee, sixty-two years in the ministry and 
still living. 


8. REV. JOHN BAKER CASSELS. 


The son of Elias and Sarah (Jones) Cassels, was born in 
Liberty county, April 6, 1811, taught school at Flemington, 
(then Gravel Hill) the writer’s first teacher in 1837; studied 
theology at Seminary at Columbia, graduating in 1835; 
licensed by Harmony Presbytery, and received by Hopewell 
Presbytery April 22,1837, and at the same meeting or- 
dained evangelist, pastor of Salem church of that Presby- 
tery, died after a short ministry of seventeen months, in 
September, 1838, and buried at the pulpit end of the Salem 
church, where a monument was erected to his memory. The 
membership of the church, afterwards having removed to 
the village of Woodstock, the house was sold to the Baptists, 
and now bears the name of ‘‘Phillip’s Baptist church.” 


9. REV, RICHARD MAXWELL BAKER. 


The brother of Rev. John W. Baker andson of William Jeans 
and Elizabeth Baker, was born in Liberty county April 30, 
1813, received into the church at Richmond Bath, when 
there, going to school to Rev. Samuel Cassels about 1828, 
licensed by Hopewell Presbytery, and ordained by the same 
November 29, 184.0, preached that winter at Apalachicola, 


116 HISTORY OF MIDWAY CHURCH, 


- 


Florida, doing missionary work at Mariana, took charge of 
the church at Quincy in 1842, and continued its pastor till 
1847, when he took charge of the Academy at Sparta, Ga., 
and supplying the church at the same time till 1849, when 
he gave up the school and supplied the church there for three 
years, temporarily supplied the Midway field during Dr. 
Axson’s absence, in 1851 preached to the Ebenezer church, 
Sussex county, Va., during the summer of 1852, settled in 
LaFayette, Ga., in 1853, where for many years, until his 
health failed, he continued to do evangelistic work in the — 
destitute sections around him. ° He died at his home at La- 
Fayette, Ga., June 11, 1896, in the eighty-fourth year of his 
age. 2 


10. REV. JOHN WINN. 


Son of Maj. John and Eliza (Wilson) Winn, was born in 
Liberty county January 10, 1814, and baptized March 6th 
of the same year; graduated at Amherst College in 1834, — 
and at Columbia Seminary in 1837; taken under the care of 
Georgia Presbytery and licensed November 1, 1837, and or- 
dained by the same November 4, 1838; offered himself and 
was accepted as a foreign missionary, but lack of funds at 
the time, and afterwards the failing health of his wife, pre- 
vented his going as missionary; entered the field for awhile 
as collecting agent in the South for foreign missions; for a 
time supplied Forsyth and Hopewell churches; pastor of 
Darien and Harris Neck churches from 1840 to 1844; pastor 
Bryan Neck from 1844 to 1851; employed by the executors 
of Lambert’s estate as missionary to the colored people of 
Liberty county from 1851 to 1857; pastor at Henry, Ill, ~ 
from 1857 to 1871; pastor at Madison, Ill., from 1871 till 
his death, August 26, 1892, after a ministry of 55 years, 
leaving two children foreign missionaries, Rev. Thomas 
Winn and Harriet Louisa Winn—both in Japan. 


11. REV. PETER WINN. 


Brother of the above and son of Maj. John and Eliza 
(Wilson) Winn, was born in Liberty county September 27, 


1815; baptized January 7, 1816; received into Midway 
church December 3, 1831, professing conversion under the 
preaching of Dr. J. C. Stiles; graduated with second honor at 


_ Franklin College August, 1838 ; taught school fora short time 
= in Taliaferro county ; entered the Columbia Seminary in 1838, 
_ but compelled to leave after a year on account of ill health; 
BS . labored as bible agent and colporteur of American Tract 
3 Society, from 1841 to 1843, in the States of North and 
__ South Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama; licensed to preach 
__ at Midway by the Presbytery of Georgia November, 1843. 


d * 


ht 6 dnt 
er 


After spending the winter in Cuba recruiting his health, he 
engaged for about two yearsin missionary labors among 
_ the negroes in the vicinity of Port Gibson, Miss., and there 
married Miss Margarette McComb. Being a _ confirmed 
consumptive with health broken down, he_ returned 
to the home of his mother at Walthourville, where he died 
January 18, 1847, and was buried in the old Midway ceme- 
tery. On account of poor health, he was never ordained. 
2 _ His widow afterwards married Mr. Henry Bartlett, a 
: 
= 


AP? 2 
g 


% 


merchant of New Orleans, and who was the sonof Rev. 
Mr. Bartlett, for fifty years pastor of the Congregational 
church at Munson, Mass. He being an elder in Dr. Palmer’s 
church, and went out with acolony, and made an elder in 
_ the new church. Through the liberal gift of his widow, 
= Mrs. Bartlett, of $65,000, a memorial building was erected 
__ to his memory, which still stands and is known as the 
““Memorial Church.” 


12. REV. JOHN JONES, D. D. 


A 
j 


a 
. 
4 
i 

- 

=, 
f, 
_ 


Cousin and brother-in-law of Dr. C. C. Jones, son of Maj. 
Joseph and Sarah Anderson Jones, and grandson of Maj. 
John Jones, who fell in battle at the seige of Savannah in 
1779; was born in Liberty county November 15, 1815; 
received into Midway church, with seven others, November 
23, 1832; graduated at the University of Georgia in 1836 
and Columbia Seminary in 1839; licensed by Presbytery of 
Georgia April 4, 1840; ordained by the same May 2, 1841; 
pastor of Bryan Neck church, from 1841 to 1843; supply 


118 HISTORY OF MIDWAY CHURCH. 


at Darien, from 1843 to 1847; pastor at Marietta, from 
1848 to 1853; pastor at First Church, Savannah, 1853 to 
1854; Walthourville, 1855; Washington, Ga., 1856 to 1857; 
Rome, Ga., 1857 to 1861; chaplain in Confederate Army, 
1861 to 1862; pastor at Griffin, from 1865 to 1870; evan- 
gelist of Atlanta Presbytery, 1870; chaplain of the House 
of Representatives of Georgia for quite a number of years 


from 1872, and afterwards of the Senate, from 1882 till his © 
death. After fifty-three years of faithful service he died at. 


his home in Atlanta November 26, 1893—aged 79 years. 
He was afflicted with almost’ total blindness the last few 
years of his life. He was buried at Atlanta—the Legislature 
being in session at the time, adjourned to attend the funeral 
in a body—he being at the time the chaplain of the Senate. 


13. REV. JAMES BULLOCH DUNWOODY. 


Son of John and Jane (Bulloch) Dunwoody, and grandson 
of Dr. James Dunwoody; was born in Washington, Wilkes 
county, Ga., September 24,1816; baptized January 26, 1817; 
received in old Midway church Februry 25, 1827, with sev- 
enteen others; graduated at Yale College; studied law under 
Judge Lumpkin, and admitted to the bar; graduated at 
Columbia Seminary in the class of 1841; licensed by Chero- 
kee Presbytery in the fall of the same year; served as mis- 


sionary of the Presbytery for one year; ordained by Chafles- 


ton Presbytery in 1845, and installed pastor of Stoney 
Creek church; supplied Barnwell in 1858, and Washington, 
Ga., in 1859; chaplain in the army, taught school, supplied 
feeble churches on the seaboard; returned to Stoney Creek 
where he is still living, being in his 82d year. In recent cor- 
respondence with him he expresses continued and abiding 
interest in the old church at Midway—speaking of it as 
“Dear Old Midway.” 


14. REV. RICHARD QUARTERMAN WAY. 


The son of John and Rebecca (Jones) Way, was born in 
Liberty county December 20,1819; baptized February, 1820; 
received into Midway church, with seven others, November 


PRESBYTERIAN MINISTERS. 119 


_ 23,1832; entered Franklin College in 1836, where he re- 
; mained a term of years; entered Columbia Seminary and 
4 graduated in 1843, licensed by Charleston Presbytery at 
- Charleston, S. C., in April of the same year, ordained at Co- 
3 lumbia, as Foreign Missionary, September, 1843, sailed with 
- his wife from Boston November 18th of same year, and 
‘ reached Ningpo, China, November, 1844, being twelve 
eS months on the way, stopping at Java two months; labored 
in China sixteen years, leaving the last of 1858, and being 
four months on the way; missionary to the colored people 
in Liberty county from 1859 to 1866; in connection with 
_ this work, preaching to the whites at Midway during the 
a year 1866, was pastor of Mt. Vernon church from 1866 to 
January, 1871, stated supply at Brunswick in 1871-2, Pres- 
byterial evangelist from 1871 to 1873, pastor to Bryan 
church from January, 1877, to April, 1886, pastor of Ander- 
son Street Church, Savannah, from 1886 to 1893, died at 
Savannah August 6, 1895, leaving among hls children one 
son, a minister, Rev. Louis T. Way. 


y ee Sate ie Co er oe te 


15. REV. THOMAS SUMNER WINN. 


“Sy 


athe.» % 


Son of Major John and Eliza (Wilson) Winn, a great 
grandson of Rev. John Osgood, the first pastor of Midway 
church, was born at Sunbury, Liberty county, February 5, 
1820; received into Midway church November 29, 1840; 
a graduated at the University of Georgia August, 1841; teacher 
} on Colonel's Island 1842, and in Chatham Academy, Sa- 

_vannah, 1843; graduated at Columbia Seminary, 1846; l- 
- eensed and ordained November, 1846; Domestic missionary 
at Hawkinsville, Haynesville, and Perry fifteen months; as- 
sisted Rev. Richard Hooker in organizing Perry church; co- 
pastor with Dr. Axson at Midway church seven years, from 
February, 1848 to 1855; pastor of Concord, Mt. Zion and 
Carthage churches, in Halecounty, Alabama, forforty years, 
from 1855 to 1895; five years supply at Bethlehem, and few 
months at Ebenezer, Gainesville, Bethel and Birmingham, 
all of said state, and still living at his home in Hale county, 
(1898). 


~ 


Mi aie blot 5. cal 


120 


16. REV. JOHN WINN QUARTERMAN. 


The son of Rev. Robert and Jemima (Way) Quarterman, 
who was the pastor of the church for twenty-four years and 
the father of so many ministers; was born in Liberty county 
September 21, 1821; graduated with first honor at the 
State University in 1840; licensed by Georgia Presbytery 
November 15, 1845; minister at St. Marys, Ga., six months; 
ordained Foreign Missionary to Ningpo, China, May 31, 
1846, embarking on the bark Grafton from New York, July 
20th of the same year, arriving at Ningpo in December, and 
continuing missionary for ten years; translated portions of 
the Scriptures, and Jones’ catechism, into Chinese for the use 
of the native schools. He died at Ningpo, China, of small 
pox October 14, 1857, and was buried there. 


17. REV. DANIEL SUMNER BAKER. 


_ Son of Dr. Daniel Baker, the evangelist and grandson of 
William Baker, Deacon in Midway church, born in Wash- 
ington, D. C., January 7, 1823, while his father was pastor 
there; ordained by the Presbytery of Louisiana in 1850; 
minister of the Third Church, New Orleans, 1850-2; teacher 
in New Orleans in 1852-3; minister at Carrollton in 1853-5; 
at Grosse Tete, in 1855-8; Providence, in 1858-60; Red Lick, 
in.1858-63; United States Custom House, New Orleans, in. 
1863-71; assistant treasurer, office New Orleans, in 1873-6, 
Sunday-school Missionary Board of Publication, Presbytery 
of Marysville in 1883-92. He is still living at Marysville, 
Tennessee. , 


18. REV. WILLIAM MUNFORD BAKER, D. D. 


Son of Dr. Daniel Baker and brother of the above, born at 
Washington, D. C., June 5, 1825: ordained evangelist of the 
Presbytery of Little Rock in 1850; minister at Galveston, 
Texas, 1856; pastor at Aniston, 1860-65; Zanesville, Ohio, 
1866-72; Newburyport, Mass., 1872 74; Boston, 1174-81; 
South Church, Philadelphia, 1881-3 ; author of the life of his 


PRESBYTERIAN MINISTERS. 121 


father, Dr. Daniel Baker. Died at Boston, Mass., after thir- 
ty-four years in the ministry, August 20, 1883. 


yur 
? 


19. REV. DONALD FRASER, D. D. 


____Theson of Simon and Sarah (Martin) Fraser, born in 
_ Liberty county November 26, 1826; received into Midway 
_ church November 16, 1844; graduated at Oglethorpe Col- 
lege November, 1848, and Columbia Seminary 1851; li- 
censed by Georgia Presbytery July. 20, 1851, at Mt. Vernon; 
ordained by the same at Savannah, November 16, 1851; 
installed pastor Bryan Neck church January 11, 1852; pas- 
toral relation dissolved at Dorchester July 15, 1856, when 
he was dismissed to the Presbytery of Florida; settled the 
same year at Jacksonville; called to Madison and Oakland 
-churches April, 1860, installed April 9, 1862; chaplain of 
2nd Florida Regiment July, 1861-3; removed to Monticello, 
Florida, January 11, 1867; elected professor in Oglethorpe 
College July, 1870; dismissed to Atlanta Presbytery No- 
vember 14, 1872; while filling the professional chair, sup- 
_ plied Decatur church; installed pastor of same 1873, and so 
continued till his death. On the early morning of Septem 
ber 12, 1887, he was found dead on the train near McDon- 
ough, Ga., while returning from a visit to Liberty county. 


20. REV. JOSEPH MELANCHTHON QUARTERMAN. 


Son of Rev. Robert Quarterman, old pastor of the church, 
and Jemima Way, was born at Flemington, Liberty county, 
April 13, 1828; received into Midway church February 19, 
1842, with twenty-one others ; graduated at Oglethorpe Col- 
lege in 1847, and at Columbia Seminary in 1850: licensed 
by Georgia Presbytery April 14, 1850; ordained and in- 
stalled pastor of Mt. Vernon church, Ga., July 20, 1851, re- 
moved to Palatka, Florida, November, 1855. He died and 
was buried there, March 29, 1858, aged thirty years, his 
| tomb bearing this inscription: ‘‘A grateful tribute to pas- 
__toral faithfulness. The trumpet of the watchman is still, 
3 but a new harp is strung in Heaven.” 


1 AY) HISTORY OF MIDWAY CHURCH. 


21. REV. JOHN FABIAN BAKER. 


Son of John O. and Adeline (Fabian) Baker, and nephew 
of Dr. Daniel Baker, was born in Liberty county September 
26, 1827; graduated at college of New Jersey in 1846; or- 
dained evangelist by the Presbytery of Luzerne May 8, 1854, 
pastor-elect Scranton, Pa., 1854; Roswell, Ga., 1854-5; 
pastor-elect Augusta, Ga., 1856; Midway, Liberty county, 
1857; pastor at Hebron, Va., 1858 to 1861; Lexington, 
1862-3; Holcombe’s Rock, 1863-6; Jerseyville, Illimois, 
1866-71; Monroe City, 1872-6; Ashley, 1876-9; Hickory 
Plains, Ark., 1879-85. After thirty-one years in the minis- 
try, died at Austin, Ark., May 9, 1855, leaving two sons, 
ministers, Rev. William Baker, pastor of Mineral Hill, Texas, 
and Rev. Adolphe Baker, pastor of church at Sykesville, 
Maryland. 


22. REV. WILLIAM ELLIOTT BAKER. 


Son of John O. and Adeline Baker, brother of the above, 
their father, grandfather and great grandfather, all being 
successively deacons in Midway church; was born in Liberty 
county Feb. 20, 1830; graduated at Princeton, N. J., 1850, 
being the valedictorian of a class of eighty-four students; 
spent one year at Columbia Seminary (1851) ; graduated 
at Princeton Seminary in 1853: licensed by Luzerne Presby- 
tery in 1852; ordained by West Jersey Presbytery in Bridge- 
ton, N.J., May 18, 1853; pastor at Bridgeton (Second 
Church) from 1853 to 1855; stated supply and established 
the church in Sacramento, California, 1856-7; pastor at 
Staunton, Va.,, from 1857 to 1884 (twenty-seven years); 
stated supply Roswell, Ga., from 1890 to the present. 


23. REV. JOHN BAKER. 


The son of William Baker, and nephew of Dr. Daniel 
Baker, and a licentiate of the Methodist church, was re- 
ceived into Midway church November 20, 1831; relicensed 
by Georgia Presbytery November 26, 1831; dismissed to 


PRESBYTERIAN MINISTERS. 12S 


Hopewell Presbytery March 30, 1833; ordained by the 
same at Decatur, Ga., April 2, 1833; minister at Hopewell 
church, near Perry, Ga., and after a brief ministry of three 
years, died in 1834. 


24. REV. JAMES STACY, D. D. 


The sonof John W. and Mary (Bacon) Stacy, was bornin 
Liberty county June 2, 1830, and “‘born again” on Monday 
night November 3, 1845; received into Midway church No- 
vember 15 of the same year; graduated at Oglethorpe Col- 
lege November 14, 1849, and at Columbia Seminary May, 
1852; licensed by Georgia Presbytery at Flemington August 
1, 1852; ordained by same in Savannah October 30, 1853; 
minister at Lumpkin and Cuthbert, 1853; at Eufaula, Ala., 
1854; at West Point, Long Cane, and Ebenezer, 1855 and 
1856; pastor at Newnan since January, 1857, now forty- 
one years, and at same time and in connection with the pas 
torate supplying the church at West Point in 1857; White 
Oak, now Turin, from 1858 to 1898; Yellow Dirt, 1865 and 
1866; Hogansville, 1867 to 1880; Carrollton January, 
1881 to July, 1888, and Palmetto, from 1890 to 1898; 
stated clerk of the Presbytery of Atlanta since 1866, and of 
the Synod of Georgia since 1876. Thirty-one years in the 
clerkship of the one and twenty-one years in the other (his 
father having been clerk of Midway church for thirty years, 
and his grand-father, twenty years before him); president of 
the board of directors of the Columbia Seminary from 1887 
to 1897; chairman of permanent committee on the Sabbath 
of the General Assembly since 1878. Author of “Prize 
Essay on the Sabbath,” ‘‘ Day of Rest,”’ “‘ Water Baptism,”’ 
and writer of this history. 


25. REV. GEORGE WHITFIELD LADSON. 


Son of William and Cynthia Ladson, his father a member 
of Midway church; was born at Bethesda, near Savannah, 
June 10, 1830; was named George Whitfield at the request 
of his father, who died two months before his birth, after 
the celebrated Whitfield, the founder of Bethesda Orphanage, 


124. HISTORY OF MIDWAY CHURCH. — 


_and of whom he was a great admirer; His mother removing — 
to Savannah, he was baptized by Dr. Preston, pastor of the - 
Independent church. His mother dying when he was only 

four years old, he was taken into the family of his uncle, Mr. 
John Dunwoody, of Liberty county, who was a deacon in 
Midway church, and to whose care and family he said he 
“owed everything.’”’ He removed with his uncle to Roswell, 
Ga., June 29,1851; he connected himself with the First 
church of Savannah, under the pastoral care of Rev. John © 
B. Ross, to which place he had removed; graduated at Ogle- 
thorpe in 1859, and at Columbia Seminary May, 1862; 
licensed by Georgia Presbytery April 14, 1861, and ordained 
by the same April 30, 1862; labored successfully 
among the colored people at Columbia, S. C., from 
1861 till his death, July 4, 1864. The colored people of his 
chargeasked permission to bearall the expenses of hisfuneral, 
buying a lot in Elmwood cemetery, and erecting a nronument 
at their own cost. ‘‘Ladson Chapel,” erected in Columbia, 
was also named in token of their high appreciation of his 
services. 


26. REV. ROBERT QUARTERMAN MALLARD, D. D. 


Son of Thomas and Rebecca (Burnley) Mallard, was born 
at Walthourville, Liberty county September 7, 1830; re-— 
ceived into Midway church May 15, 1852; graduated at 
Athens in 1858, and at Columbia Seminary in 1855; licensed 
by Georgia Presbytery April 14, 1855; ordained by the 
same April 13, 1856; pastor of Walthourville church 1856 
to 1863; of Central church, Atlanta, 1863 to 1866; of Pry- 
tania street church, New Orleans, from 1866 to 1877; of 
Napoleon avenue, New Orleans, from 1895; editor of the 
Southwestern Presbyterian, since 1892, and moderator 
of the Southern Presbyterian General Assembly at Memphis, 
Tenn., in 1896.! 


1. Dr, Mallard was taken prisoner at Walthourville Dec. 14, 1865, where he was tem- 
porarily stopping, and kept with other prisoners in pens on the Ogeechee. After the — 
fall of Savannah, he was carried into the city, and for awhile imprisoned in a cotton 
warehouse on Bay street ; was entertained for about three months at the home of Dr. 
Axson, as paroled prisoner, before being finally released. 


PRESBYTERIAN MINISTERS. 125 


27. REV. SAMUEL EDWARD AXSON. 


Son of Dr. I. S. K. and Rebecca (Randolph) Axson, was 
born in Liberty county December 23, 1836, his father at the 
time being co-pastor of Midway church with Rev. Robert 
Quarterman. He was received into Midway church Novem- 
ber 18, 1854; graduated at Oglethorpe College in 1855, and 
at Columbia Seminary in the class of 1858; licensed the 
same year by Charleston Presbytery; city missionary at Au- 
gusta, Ga., till fall, when ordained and installed as pastor at 
Beech Island, where he remained for two years; installed at 
McPhersonville, S. C., in 1861; chaplain in Confederate 
army for two years, 1862 and 1863; pastor at Madison, 
Ga., in 1864; pastor at Rome, Ga., from the close of 1865 to 
1883; died at Milledgeville, Ga., May 28, 1884; buried at 
Savannah. 


28. REV. JAMES SMITH COSBY, D. D. 


Son of Rev. James C. and Hannah (Randolph) Cosby, was 
born at St. Marys, Ga., September 1, 1837; losing his father 
when not quite two months old—he was reared in Liberty 
county in the family of Mr. Nathaniel Varnedoe, a deacon of 
Midway church, who had married his widowed mother. 
He was received into Midway church February 20, 1859; 
graduated at Oglethorpe College in 1857, and at Columbia 
Seminary in the class of 1862; received by Georgia Presby- 
tery as a licentiate from Charleston Presbytery November 
10, 1864; ordained by the same November 13, at the same 
meeting; for eighteen months taught school and supplied 


the church at Bryan Neck; then served as chaplain in the 


Confederate army till the close of the war, after which he 
taught school in Savannah for one year; called to Cuthbert 
church February, 1868, which he served till 1873; then be- 
came pastor of Mt. Zion church, Sumter county, S. C., re- 
maining therc fourteen years; became pastor of the Aveleigh 
church, Newberry, S. C., serving the same till his death. He 
died at Clarksville, Ga., September 10, 1894, leaving two 
daughters and two sons, both studying for the ministry. 


VV 


126 HISTORY OF MIDWAY CHURCH. 


29. REV. ROBERT QUARTERMAN BAKER. 


Son of William Q. and Anna Lydia (Mallard) Baker, born 
in Liberty county January 18, 1838; graduated at Ogle- 
thorpe College in 1857; received into Midway church April 
26, 1867;! licensed by Savannah Presbytery April 9, 1871; 
ordained by the same at St. Marys April 14, 1872; pastor 
at St. Marys, 1871 to 1878; taught school at the Ridge, 
near Darien, 1879 and 1880; supply at Dorchester, Liberty 
county, 1880—teaching schoo] at the same time; taking 
charge of the Euchee Valley, Fla., church in 1882, and in 
connection therewith supplying Freeport, La., in-1881; De- 
Funiak, 1886, and DeFuniak and Magnolia from 1888 to 
the present time; and for some time superintendent of public 
schools for Walton county, Florida. * 


30. REV. JOHN GORDON LAW. 


The son of Dr. John S. Law, grandson of Benjamin Law, 
and nephew of Judge William Law, of Liberty county, was 
born in Columbia, Tenn., September 14, 1839; his father 
leaving Liberty county, practiced medicine awhile in For- 
syth, Ga.; afterwards removed to Columbia, Tenn., where 
he became a ruling elder; his mother was Sarah Gordon, the 
aunt of Gen. John B. Gordon. At the outbreak of the war — 
he was a student of medicine at Memphis; enlisted in the 
154th Tennessee Regiment—wounded at the battleof Shiloh, 
and served as private till the battle of Chickamauga, when 
appointed adjutant of the 38th Georgia Regiment; captured 
at Spottsylvania May 13, and remained prisoner of war in 
Fort Delaware until end of war; entered the Columbia Sem- 
inary and graduated in 1870; licensed by Presbytery of 
Memphis June 10, 1869, and spent the summer in missionary 
work in Paducah Presbytery; married that year; after 
completing the course at Columbia, went abroad, spending 
a winter at the University of Edinburgh, and part of the 
following winter at the Assembly’s College in Belfast Ireland; 


1. The last white person received into the old church. 


PRESBYTERIAN MINISTERS. LOT, 


returning to America in 1872, accepted the call to Walhalla, 
S.C., where he was ordained by the Presbytery of South 
Carolina September 23, 1873; on account of failing health 
of his wife, resigned his charge at Walhalla in 1876, and 
again went abroad, returning in 1878, and doing evangel- 
istic work until January 1, 1879, when he accepted an invi- 
tation to supply the Circular church of Charleston, which 
place he filled until May, 1879, when he became pastor of the 
church at Darlington, S.C., where he remained until October 
1st, when he accepted a call to his present charge, at Ocala, 
Fla. 


31. REV. NATHANIEL PRATT QUARTERMAN. 


Son of Rev. Robert Quarterman, pastor of Midway church, 
and brother of Rev. John Winn and Joseph Melanchton 
Quarterman; was born at Flemington, Liberty county, 
September 30, 1839; graduated at Oglethorpe College July, 
1860; entered the Columbia Seminary that fall, but only re- 
mained until the winter of 1861, when he went into service 
as a private soldier in the spring of 1862; was licensed at 
Flemington November 13, 1863, and preached during the 
war, when not otherwise on duty; was ordained at Flem- 
ington April 8, 1866; after the close of the war commenced 
preaching at Walthourville July, 1865, and upon the re- 
moval of Mr. Buttolph from Flemington in October, 1867, 
gave one-half of his time to that place, beginning October, 
1867, and so continuing until February 15, 1870, when the 
pastoral relation was dissolved, and he went to Savannah 
to take charge of a mission church under the care of the 
Independent Presbyterian church; left there for Thomasville, 
Ga., in April, 1873, where he labored until April of 1877, 
when he removed to Quincy, Fla., where he has remained 
preaching acceptably ever since, now twenty-one years. 


382. REV. CAESAR AUGUSTUS BAKER. 


Son of W. Q. and Anna Lydia (Mallard) Baker, was born 
in Liberty county October 29, 1839; received into thechurch 
at Walthourville July 10, 1858; graduated at Oglethorpe 


128 HISTORY OF MIDWAY CHURCH. 


college in June, 1859, sharing the first honor; spent one year 
(1860) in Columbia Seminary; licensed by East Alabama 
Presbytery September 25, 1862, and ordained by the same 
a short while afterwards; supplied Pea River church 1862-6; 
pastor of Lowndesboro and Good Hope 1866-70; supplied 
Opelika and New Harmony churches for a short time; min- 
ister at Tallahassee, Florida, 1870; pastor at Opelika from 
1871 to 1885; pastor Opelika and Auburn 1886-93. He 
died at Opelika, Alabama, Angust 7, 1893. 


33. REV. JOHN WAY QUARTERMAN. 


Son of Edward Quarterman, deacon of Midway church, 
and grandson of Rev. Robert Quarterman, the pastor, was 
born in Jonesville, one of the summer retreats of Liberty 
county, March 18, 1841; received into Midway church May 
22, 1858; licensed by Georgia Presbytery March 21, 1868; 
supplied Mineral Spring 1868-9; Waynesville and Bruns- 
wick, 1869; Waynesville and Darien, 1870; ordained by 
Savannah Presbytery April 9, 1871; pastor at Darien 1871-3; 
Mt. Vernon 1875; stated supply and teacher at Blackshear 
and Waynesville 1875-79; teacher and supply at Waycross, 
Waynesville and Hazlehurst 1880-3; organized a church in 
Worth county in December, 1885; supplied Poulan, St. 
Marys’, King’s Ferry, and Marlow 1886-94; discontinued 
Marlow in 1892; supplied Hazlehurst and Ebenezer, in Mc- 
Intosh county, in 1894, and Marlow in 1895; Pooler and - 
Statesboro 1895; elected stated clerk of Savannah Presby- 
tery April 10, 1890, which position he still holds. 


34. REV. BENJAMIN LAZARUS BAKER, ~ 


Son of W.Q. and Anna Lydia (Mallard) Baker, and a 
brother of Rev. R. Q. and C. A. Baker; was born in Liberty 
county January 8, 1843; received into the church at Wal- 
thourville October 8, 1859; graduated at Columbia Semi- 
nary May, 1869; licensed at Jacksonville, by Florida Pres- 
bytery, October, 1868; supplied Palatka 1869; ordained by 
Bethel Presbytery at Unionville, South Carolina, June, 1870, 


PRESBYTERIAN MINISTERS. J 129 


and installed pastor at said place; removed to Monticello in 
Ls January, 1871, and installed pastor the same year, where 


* he still resides. 


35. REY. WILLIAM LECONTE. 


Son of Louis LeConte, a native of Liberty county and 
member of Midway church, and regular descendant of the 
LeContes and Quartermans; was born in Savannah Feb. 17, 
1846 ; his father dying when he was six years old, he re- 
moved to Washington, D. C., where he lived till 1858; then 
six years in Europe, where he was baptized in Brussels by 
Rev. Mr. Arnet, of the Evangelical church; on his return re- 
ceived into the First Presbyterian church, of Augusta, Ga.; 
graduated at South Carolina college, and at Columbia Semi- 
nary in 1872; licensed to preach by the Presbytery of Ath- 
ens in April, and ordained at Gainesville in September of the 
same year; labored that summer in Clarksville, and sailed 
to Brazil as missionary in the winter of 1872-3; one year at 
Campinas; one year and more at Pernambuco; returned in 
1876, and died on November 4th, at his mother’s home in 
Washington, D. C., and was buried in that city. 


36. REV. THOMAS CLAY WINN. 


Son of Rev. John and Mary (Brown) Winn, was born at 
Flemington, Liberty county, June 29, 1851; licensed at Hen- 
ry, Illinois, in 1874; ordained at Princeville, Illinois, 

~in 1877, his father delivering the charge; married in the fall 
and went as missionary to Kanagawo, Japan, he being the 
first missionary to leave the treaty ports and go into the 
interior; a pioneer missionary in those parts, where now 
they have two good churches, about two hundred members 
and a large boys and girls school, with comfortable build- 
ings for each. ; 


387. REV. CHALMERS FRASER. 


Son of Rev. Dr. Donald and Valeria (Cassels) Fraser, of 
Liberty county, was born at Jacksonville, Florida, Septem- 


130 HISTORY OF MIDWAY CHURCH. 


ber 28, 1856, his father being pastor there at the time; l- 
censed by Atlanta Presbytery October 10, 1887; ordained 
by Cherokee Presbytery April 27, 1888; supplied Ringgold, 
Georgia, 1887-8; pastor Olivet and McConnelsville, South 
Carolina, 1889-91; pastor of Georgia Avenue, Atlanta, Ga., 
1891, and where he is still laboring. 


38. REV. DAVID FRASER SHEPPARD. 


Son of David and Marion (Fraser) Sheppard and nephew 
of Dr. Donald Fraser; was born.in Liberty county May 9, 
1859; received into Flemington church June 18, 1882; grad- 
uated at Davidson college in 1886 and at Columbia Semina- 
ry in 1889; licensed at Hazlehurst, by Savannah Presbytery, 
November 10, 1889; transferred to Mecklenburg Presbytery 
April 10, 1890; ordained by the same May 27th, and be- 
came pastor of the Swannannoa church, North Carolina, 
1890-1. On account of impaired health, he has had no reg- 
ular charge since. 


39. REV. ABBOTT L. R. WAITE. 


Son of Rev. James T. Waite, for so long pastor of Midway ~ 


church (colored); was born in Salisbury, Maryland, May 
7, 1860; reared in Liberty connty; received into the Dor- 
chester church, a branch of Midway, in 1879; graduated at 
Princeton Seminary in 1888; ordained by Huntington Pres- 
bytery in June of the same year; was one year pastor of 
Beulah church, of that Presbytery; October, 1889, took 
charge of Chillisguage and Mooresbury churches, of Nor- 
thumberland Presbytery ; October 15, 1891, installed pastor 
of Woodstock Presbyterian church, New York City, where 
he still resides. 


40. REV. LOUIS THEODORE WAY. 


Son of Rev. R. Q. and Susan (Quarterman) Way, mission- 
aries to China; was born at Jonesville, one of the Midway 
retreats, May 20, 1866; licensed by Savannah Presbytery 
at Blackshear April 12, 1889; ordained by the sameat Way-— 


= 


PRESBYTERIAN MINISTERS. 131 


cross May 19, 1892; supplied Bryan Neck, pastor Mt. Zion 
and Bushy Park for six months, ending December 31, 1892, 


preaching to Bryan Neck, Marlow, and Pooler from 1892-5, 


and Bryan Neck and Dorchester since 1896. 


41. REV. EDGAR WILLIAM WAY. 


Son of Edgar and Almira (Spencer) Way, regular descend- 
ant of the early settlers of Midway church; was born in Sa- 
vannah, Georgia, April 12, 1869, his father being teacher in 
the public schools; licensed by Savannah Presbytery July 10, 
1891; ordained by the same December 1, 1891; pastor of the 
Walthourville church trom December, 1891, to April, 1895, 
and pastor at Gainesville, Florida, from 1895 to the present 
time. 


42. REV. TIMOTHY DWIGHT WITHERSPOON, D. D. 


The grandson of Paul Fulton, who was born in Liberty 
county, in the Midway settlement, in the vear 1776; dedi- 
cated to God in baptism September 13th of the same year, 
and received into full membership in Midway church Decem- 
ber 23, 1798; and great grandson of Paul Fulton, sr., who 
had married Sarah Osgood August 9, 1768; was born in 
Greensboro, Alabama, January 17, 1836. Mr. Paul Fulton, 
the grandfather of Dr. Witherspoon, removed in early man- 
hood to South Carolina, where he married Martha Mont.’ 
gomery Armstrong in 1804; afterwards removed to Maury 
county, Tennessee, and later on, with a colony, to Hale 
county, Alabama, where he became an elder in Mt. Zion 
church, and so remained till his death, and where many of 
his descendants still reside. While in Tennessee, his daugh- 
ter, Sarah Agnes, was born unto him March 31, 1811, who 
afterwards married Robert Franklin Witherspoon, born in 
South Carolina June 23, 1797; their son, Timothy Dwight, 


being born unto them at the time and place above indicated. 


After graduating at the University of Mississippi in 1856, 
and Columbia Seminary in 1859, he was licensed to preach 
by the Presbytery of Chickasaw June 6, 1859, and ordained 


132 HISTORY OF MIDWAY CHURCH. 


by the saine Presbytery in May, 1860, and became pastor of 


the church at Oxford, Mississippi, from April, 1861, to April, 
1865; private in the Confederate service for one year, and 
chaplain during the remainder of the war; minister of the 
Second Presbyterian church, Memphis, 1865-70; pastor of 
Christianburg, Virginia, August 1870-1; chaplain of the 


University of Virginia for two years, July, 1871-3; pastor — 


abb Street church, Petersburg, Virginia, for nine years, 
from 1873 to 1882; pastor First Church, Louisville, Ken- 
tucky, nine years, September, 1882-91; professor of Bible in 
Ceutral University for two years, in connection with the 
pastorate of the church. At the organization,of Louisville 
Seminary he was made professor of Biblical Instruction, 


Homiletics, 2nd Pastoral Theology, which position he still — 


holds. 


43. REV. WINN DAVID HEDLESTON. 


William Fulton, the son of Paul Fulton, married four 
times. Among other children, there was a daughter, Mar- 
tha, who married W. D. Hedleston, of Greene county, Ala- 
bama. Theirson, Winn David (named Winn after Rey. 
Thos. S. Winn, of Liberty county, their pastor); became a 
minister, and is now pastor of the church at Oxford, Miss- 
issippi, a gifted and promising young minister. 


Another, and youngest son of William Fulton, and grand- 


son of the above Paul Fulton, is Robert Burwell Fulton, 
who is now the Chancellor of the University of Mississippi. 


44.. REV. MADISON WILSON FRIERSON. 


45. REV. WILLIAM VINCENT FRIERSON, JR. 


Adeline, the daughter of Paul Fulton, married Rey. Wil- 
liam Vincent Frierson, one of the pioneers of Chickasaw 
Presbytery, Mississippi, and had two sons as above; and 
the elder, Rev. Madison Wilson Frierson, was chaplain in the 
Confederate army, and died of disease contracted in the 
camp. The other son, Rev. William Vincent Frierson, jr., is 
now pastor of two churches in Pontotoc county Mississippi. 


———~ 


+ PRESBYTERIAN MINISTERS. 133 


46. REV. JOHN C. MCMULLEN. 


Leonora Fulton, the daughter of Paul Fulton, married 
Rev. James P. McMullen, pastor of Mt. Zion church, of 


- which her father was founder, and had two sons. One, Wil- 
liam McMullen, fell in battle, a student for the ministry, and 


soldier in the Confederate army. The other and younger 
son, Rev. John C. McMullen, is now in the ministry and 
pastor at Midway, Ky. 

How wonderful the history of this man Paul Fulton—born 
in the Midway settlement, consecrated at her sacred altars. 
in infancy, himself an elder and superintendent of the Sab- 
bath school of the Mt. Zion church till his death about 1835. 
Four of his sons elders, three of his daughters ministers’ 
wives, one of his grandsons professor in a theological semi- 
nary, avother a chancellor of the university of a great State, 
two other grandsons in the ministry, and a great grandson 
a minister. How wonderfully blessed! and likewise what a 
blessing to the world! 


47. REV. ROBERT IVERSON. 


The fourth son of Robert Iverson, a member of Midway 
church, and his third wife, Margaret J. Harris, and a half 
brother of Senator Alfred Iverson, was born about 1814 or 
1815 in Burke county, to which his father had removed; 
he was licensed by Flint River Presbytery at Decatur, Ga., 
October, 1843; dismissed to the East Alabama Presbytery, 
and died towards the close of 1850, as the Presbytery at 
its meeting at Jacksonville in April, 1851, makes mention of 
his death and adopted resolutions expressive of their grief at 
his death and paying a tribute to his character. 


48. REV. WILLIAM STEELE BAKER. 


Son of Rev. John F. and Phebe (Steele) Baker, was born in 
Rockbridge county, Va.; studied at Batesville, Ark., and re- 
ceived his theological training at Austin, Tex.; was licensed 
in 1889 by the Presbytery of Arkansas; ordained by the 


134 HISTORY OF MIDWAY CHURCH. 


same in 1892; minister at Black Rock and Powhatan from 
1889 to 1893; pastor at Hico, Tex., three years, and at 
Nazareth church two years, and at Mineral Wells, in same 
State, since November 15, 1897. 


49. REV. ADOLPHE. ELHART BAKER. 


' Brother of the above, was bornat Jerseyville, Illinois, May 
13, 1871; received the degree of B. A. at John Hopkins’ Uni- 
versity in the spring of 1894; graduated at Union Seminary 
May, 1897; licensed by Maryland Presbytery at Baltimore, 
June 14, 1897, and ordained and installed by the same, pas- 


tor of the old Springfield church at Sykesville, Maryland, 


October 17, 1897. 


50. WILLIAM EDWARD SCREVEN. 


To the above list may be added this name, though only a 


student. He was the grandson of Gen. James Screven, who 


was killed at Midway in 1788, and son of Rey. Charles O. 
Sereven, a Baptist minister .1 He was born at Sunbury, Lib- 
erty county, August 31, 1823; joined the Baptist church at 
Sunbury, but afterwards was received into the Presbyterian 
church at Columbia, South Carolina; spent one term in the 
Seminary there; on account of impaired health, returned 
home in 1845; a stroke of lightning, in 1849, disqualified 
him from any further prosecution of his studies; wrote a 
book on the relations of Christianity to poetry and philos- 
ophy, dedicated to Dr. Howe. He died February 12, 1860, 
in the twenty-sixth year of his age. 

1. Rey. Charles 0. Screven was twice married. First, to Mrs. Lucy Barnard Jones, 


the mother of Rey. James O. Screven, and second, to Miss Barbara Golphin, the mother 
of William Edward Screven. 


“. ag ep 
Tans aie 


oy Aa 


MINISTERS OF OTHER DENOMINATIONS. 135 


MINISTERS OF OTHER DENOMINATIONS. 


Before giving the list of ministers of other denominations 


that have gone out from the Midway community, it is prop- 


er to state that those whose names we give were, generally, 
the regular descendants of one or more of the earlier settlers, 
and were all more or less identified with the old church, ei- 
ther from matrimonial alliances or daily associations, many 
of them being brought up under her influence and tutellage, 
attending her schools, and conjointly worshipping in her 
congregations. To understand the situation, we have only 
to remember that for the space of fifty four years, from 1752 
to 1806, when the first Baptist church was organized,! the 
Midway church was the only church in the whole county, 
and that her people during that long time had the exclusive 
control of a scope of country, though sparsely populated, of 
some twenty miles in extent. The Baptist and Methodist 
churches afterwards organized, being upon the outskirts, 
were comparatively weak and were largely dependent upon 
their stronger neighbor, who had preoccupied the ground, 
for materials of membership as well as association and 
training. Hence we find several of their names onthechurch 
registry of marriages, births and deaths. Weeven find the 
names of some of them among the list of subscribers to the 
articles of incorporation, thus taking pews and supporting 
the church. As the result of all this the greatest neighborly 
feeling and association existed. As evidence of this I need 
only quote the record. We find as early as October 31, 1802, 
that ‘‘Mr. Charles O. Screven, minister of the gospel at Snn- 
bury (of the Baptist church) joined with us in the ordinance 
of the Lord’s supper and also preached in the afternoon ;, and 
also mention the additional fact that later on Rev. Josiah 


_ S. Law, of the Baptist church, and Rev. Edward Q. Andrews, 


of the Methodist church, were employed by the executors of 
the Lambert estate, (said executors being all members of 
Midway church) the one to preach to the colored people and 
the other a supply to the whites, and both preaching with 


1. The Methodist church was not organized iuthe county until about twenty years 
afterwards. 2. Public Records, P. 55. 


136 HISTORY OF MIDWAY CHURCH. 


acceptance to both white and colored. I do not remember 
anything lke exhibition of prejudice on the part of the peo- 
ple toward either. The same appears in the willingness of 
the Midway people, who were near, to tent at the Metho- 
dist campmeetings held in the upper part of the county; and 
from the additional fact that so many of them, both preach- 
er and people, from the different denominations lie side by 
side in the old graveyard. These all show not only the great 
liberality of this people towards the other denominations, 
but also the training influence they must have exerted over 
them. It is impossible to see how these others could have 
grown up in the midst of this people, a people of such intel- 
ligence and refinement and such decidedly religious convic- - 
tions and impulses, without imperceptibly imbibing some of — 
their principles and made partakers to a great extent of 
their spiritual life. ? 

With this explanation I place the following in the list of 
those who haye gone out from the Midway people, though ~ 
in connection with other denominations: 


BAPTIST MINISTERS WHO HAVE GONE OUT 
FROM THE MIDWAY COMMUNITY. 


1. REV. SAMUEL SPRY LAW. 


The records of Midway church show that Joseph Law and 
Elizabeth Spry were married in July, 1774. Their son, Sam- _ 
uel Spry, was born to them in Liberty county June 2, 1775, 
and baptized April 29,1787. He was the first captain of 
the Liberty county Independent Troup, and afterwards 
major of the squadron of the first regiment. He was for a 
time clerk of the Congregational church at Sunbury, a 
branch of the Midway church, as appears from a letter ad- 
dressed in 1811, by the Baptist church of that place to Cap- 
tain J.S. Law.! He appears also to have studied the Shor- 
ter Catechisms. ‘‘When under conviction,’’ said he, ‘‘the 
question suggested itself to my mind ‘what are considered 


1. Campbell’s History, P. 113. 


BAPTIST MINISTERS. 137 


the effectual means of salvation?’ ‘God maketh the reading 
but especially the preaching of the Word, an effectual means 
of salvation.’’”? Thus using the language of the catechism, 
and showing his familiarity with it. He connected himself 
with the Baptist church April 30, 1815, when forty years of 
age. He was ordained at Sunbury December 27, 1827, and 
after ten years of faithful labor, chiefly among the -colored 


people, died February 4, 1837, and was buried at Sunbury. 


2. REV. THOMAS SUMNER WINN.’ 


Was the son of Peter and Ann (Sumner) Winn. His par- 
ents were members of the Midway church. His father was 
a deacon of the church at the time of his birth, and had been 
for twenty-six years, from 1798 to 1824; and after this long 
service became a Baptist. His son, Thomas Sumner, was 
born at Sunbury July 16, 1792; dedicated unto the Lord by 
baptism July 22nd of thesame year; was usher to Dr. McWhir 
in Sunbury Academy in his 17th year; was ordained pastor 
of North Newport church, and died January 27, 1819, in his 
twenty-seventh year. The funeral sermon was preached by 
Rey. Murdoch Murphy, pastor of Midway church, and pub- 


lished by the community. He was a young minister of great 


promise. The following is the description of his physique 


- given by Mr. Murphy in his discourse: 


“His stature was above the middle size, lean and muscular; 
his complexion sallow rather than florid, black haired, of a 
large forehead, prominent nose, blue eyes, interstreaked with 
grey, deep set, quick and penetrating, under large dark eye- 
brows. His temperament was a mixture of the sanguine, 
with the melancholic. His voice was harmonious and his 
ear exquisitely attuned to music. No man, thougha stran- 
ger, could look in his face and hold him in contempt.” 


3. REV. JOSEPH STEVENS BAKER, M. D. 


The son of William Baker, deacon of Midway church, and 
Ann (Stevens) Baker, and half brother of Dr. Daniel Baker, 


1. Campbell’s History, P.114. 2. Also a Presbyterian minister by this name. 


138 HISTORY OF MIDWAY CHURCH. 


the evangelist ; was born in Liberty county August 17, 1798, © 
and dedicated to the Lord in baptism October 14th follow- 
ing; ‘joined the Presbyterian church when young,”! and af- 

terwards the Baptist church;- filled the various positions, 

first, as physician, then colporteur, editor, minister. Died 

at Quitman, Ga., July 28, 1877. 


4. REV. JOSIAH SPRY LAW. 


The son of Rev. Samuel Spry and Rebecca (Hughes) Law, 
was born in Sunbury, Liberty county, February 5, 1808; 


taught school with Rey. James Shannon at Augusta, Ga., in 


1827, where he connected himself with the Baptist church; 


was ordained at Sunbury December, 1830; pastor of Sun-— 


bury church; afterwards, of North and South Newport 
churches, and later on was one of the ministers employed by 
the executors of the Lambert estate, to the colored people, 
among whom he faithfully labored. He died October 4, 


1853, and was buried at Sunbury. A monument was erect- — 


ed to.his memory at Newport church. e 


5. REV. PATRICK HUGHES MELL, D. D., LL. D. 


The son of Benjamin and Cynthia (Sumner) Mell, was 
born at Walthourville, Liberty county, July 19, 1814. His 
grandfather, Thomas Sumner, on his mother’s side, married 
first, Sarah Quarterman, the granddaughter of the Rev. 
John Osgood, but he himself was the descendant of a second 
wife, viz.: Anna Baker. His mother being a member and his 
father a supporter of Midway church, he was dedicated to 
the Lord in baptism soon after his birth in 1814; was re- 
ceived into the Baptist church and immersed by Rey. Samuel 
S. Law at Newport church, in 1832; ordained November 19, 
1842; professor of ancient languages at Mercer University 
from 1842 to November, 1855, when he was transferred to 
Athens, and became professor in the State University from 


1856 to 1860, when he was made Chancellor, which post _ 


tion he occupied till his death; was for a number of years 


1. Baptist History, Biographical Sketches, P. 18. 


BAPTIST MINISTERS. 139 


moderator of the Southern Baptist Convention, to which he 
was annually chosen. In connection with his educational 
work was pastor of churches at various places; author of 
several works, among them one on ‘‘Baptism,”’ another on 
“Parliamentary Practice,”’ ‘‘Philosophy of Prayer,” ‘“‘Church 
Discipline,’ and ‘‘Church Polity.’’ He died at Athens Jan. 
26, 1888, and among others, leaving ason, P. H. Mell, jr., 
professor in the State Military Institute, Auburn, Alabama. 


6. REV. EDWARD ABIEL STEVENS, D. D.. 


The son of Oliver and Eliza (Winn) Stevens, who were 
members of Midway church at the time of his birth, but af 
terwards became Baptists; was born in Liberty county Jan. 
24, 1814; dedicated to the Lord in baptism March 6th, fol- 
lowing ; immersed in November, 1827; graduated at Brown 
University in 1833, and Newton Seminary in 1836; ordained 
a missionary to Burmah in 1836, where he remained till his 
death June 19, 1886, after fifty years of missionary work, 
and was buried at Rangoon, Burmah. He was the first 
Baptist foreign missionary from the South. 


7. REV. AUGUSTUS OCTAVIUS BACON. 


Son of Thomas and Sarah (Holcombe) Bacon and grand- 
son of Thomas and Catherine Bacon, members of Midway 


_church; was born in Liberty county January 17, 1816; ed- 


ucated at Walthourville; entered the University at Athens in 
1834 and Columbia Seminary in 1836; licensed July, 1838; 
ordained January 13, 1839, as copastor with Rev. Josiah S. 
Law, of North Newport church; married Mary Louisa 
Jones, daughter of Samuel Jones, of Midway church. He 
died July 3, 1839. He and his wife lie buried side by side in 
the Midway graveyard. He was the father of Hon. Augus- 
tus O. Bacon, United States Senator. 


8. REV. ADAM TUNNO HOLMES, D. D. 


Son of James Holmes, a wealthy planter near Sunbury, 
and one of the signers of the articles of incorporation; was 


140 HISTORY OF MIDWAY CHURCH. 


born in Sunbury about the year 1803. His mother was ~ 
Mary Kell, the aunt of General J. M. Kell; for more than 
forty years in the ministry, filling different places, such as 
Forsyth, Macon, two churches in Houston county; presi- 
dent of Baptist college at Cuthbert and afterwards of Cen- 
tral Institute in Alabama. He died in Atlanta September 
29,1870. He had a brother, Isaac, captain in the Mexican 
war, from Macon, who died in Mexico. 


9. JACOB H. DUNHAM. 


The grandson of William and Mary Dunham, early set- 
tlers in St. John’s parish and members of Midway church, 


was born in McIntosh county February 26, 1774; removed 


to Liberty county and became a faithful minister of the Bap- 
tist church, and for ten years missionary of the Sunbury 
Baptist Association. His work. was chiefly among 
the colored people and in the upper and more destitute por- 
tions of the county. He died September 25, 1832. 


10. REV. CHARLES ODINGSELL SCREVEN, D. D. 


The son of Gen. James Screven, who was killed near Mid- 


way church, was born in 1774. His mother was Mary (Es- ~ 


ther) Odingsell, and sister of Mrs. Elizabeth Lee, the widow 
of Rev. Moses Allen, one of the pastors of Midway church. 
He was ordained May 29, 1801, and was the founder and 
first pastor of the Baptist church at Sunbury in 1806. He 
died of cancer, in New York, in July, 1830, aged fifty-seven 
years. 


11. JAMES ODINGSELL SCREVEN. 


Son of the above, born in Savannah, and reared there till 
seventeen years old; then taken to Sunbury till prepared for 
for college; joined the Baptist church at Sunbury in 1828; 
entered the ministry of that church; commenced preaching 
to negroes in Bryan county; removed to LaGrange in 1850; 
was made agent of Domestic Missionary Board. He died in 
May, 1864. 


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-BAPTIST MINISTERS. 141 


12. REV. JESSE H. CAMPBELL, D. D. 


William and Mary Dunham were early settlers of St. 
John’s parish and members of Midway church; the former 
received November 30, 1760, and the latter, June 26, 1756. 
Among their children, who were usually consecrated to the 


Lord in baptism, as the records show, was a son, John, who 


removed to McIntosh county, where he married and reared 
afamily. Among his children were Rev. Jacob H. Dunham 
and a daughter, who married Jesse Campbell, the father of 
the above. The subject of this sketch was born in McIntosh 
county Feb. 10, 1807. On his paternal side, his father, of the 
same name, could trace his lineage in a direct line to the 
Scottish clan of Campbell. He was educated at Sunbury, 
where he connected himself with the Baptist church, and 
where he was also ordained in 1830, and became a minister 
of prominence in his denomination, filling at different times 
important places in the state. Hedied at Columbus April 
16, 1788, leaving two sons prominent ministers in that de- 
nomination, Rev. Messrs. Abner B. and Charles I). Campbell. 


13. REV. CARLOS STEVENS. 


Son of Oliver and Eliza (Winn) Stevens and brother of Dr. 
Edward A. and Rev. Henry J. Stevens, was bornatSunbury, 
Liberty county, September 30, 1823. After two years at 
Athens college, taught school for several years, the writer 
being a pupil for awhile; graduated at Mercer in the de- 
partment of Theology in 1848; was pastor at Sparta, Ga., 
where he died October 31, 1866. He was a man of amiable 
disposition, and was greatly beloved. The writer takes 
pleasure in adding his testimony to that of others in certify- 
ing to his worth and excellency. 


14. HENRY J. STEVENS. 


Son of Oliver and Eliza (Winn) Stevens, a brother of Dr. 


1. Catheart’s Baptist Encyclopedia. 


SS 


142 HISTORY OF MIDWAY CHURCH. 


Edward A. and Rev. Carlos Stevens, was born in Liberty 
county ; entered the ministry of the Baptist church, having 
received his education at Newton Seminary, Massachusetts ; 
preached first at Robertville, South Carolina. He died at 
Walthourville October 10, 1854, at the time being pastor of 
Sunbury and Newport churches, and was buried at Midway. 


15. REV. WILLIAM B. BENNETT. 


Son of Mathew and Sarah (Spencer) Bennett, his mother 
a member of Midway church and his father a signer of the — 
articles of incorporation of the church; was born in Liberty 
county October 19, 1827; dedicated in infancy unto the 
Lord ; practiced law for a number of years at Lumpkin, Ga.; 
was ordained at Quitman, Ga., in 1874, where he still lives, 
filling the position of Judge of the County Court and sup- 
plying the destitute and feebler churches within reach. 


16. REV. JOHN LAKE. 


Rev. John Lake was born in Edgefield county, South Car- 
olina, June 11, 1870. His father, Captain George B. Lake, 
was a native of the same county. His mother, Rosa Flor- 
ence Jones, the daughter of Moses L. and Saccharissa (Ax- 
son) Jones; her parents and grandparents all members of 
Midway church. The subject of this notice was educated at 
Military Academy in Charleston; entered the work of the 
Young Men’s Christian Association; became a special stu- 
dent in Columbia Theological Seminary (Presbyterian) 
while acting as secretary of the Association in that place; in 
1890 organized the Edgefield County Young Men’s Chris- 
tian Association work, the first permanent county work in 
the world; in 1893 organized a ‘“‘County Training School’’ 
for secretaries; as a further adjunct, in 1894, started anews- 
paper called ‘‘This Way,”’ which has since become the official 
organ of the Young Men’s Christian Association work for 
several states ; in the mean while becoming ordained to the 
Baptist ministry, and is now serving several town and 
country churches, making a specialty, however, in endeav- 


BAPTIST MINISTERS. 143 


oring to develop in Christian work the young men of these 
small places, to which he feels especially set apart. 


17. REV. CHARLES. S. GAULDEN. 


Son of Rev. Jonathan Gaulden and grandson, I presume, 
of Jack Gaulden, one of the signers of the articles of incorpo- 
ration, was born in Liberty county May 5, 1812, and or- 
dained in Lumpkin, Georgia, to which place he had removed 
and where he had been practicing law. 


18. REV. WILLIAM BUTLER. 


The son of Jesse and Margaret (Cassels) Butler, the sister 
of Rev. Samuel J. Cassels, was born at Flemington, Liberty 
county, and for a number of years has been a minister in the 
Baptist church, and is now living near Jesup. 


19. REV. JERE BAKER. 


To the above list this name might also be added. Con- 
cerning Mr. Baker, familiarly known as ‘‘Uncle Jere,’’ the 
writer knows very little. I only remember seeing him once 
at Midway church. He preached in the lower part of the 
county, about Sunbury and Dorchester, somewhere during 
the years between 1840 and 1845. 


METHODIST MINISTERS WHO HAVE GONE 
OUT FROM MIDWAY CHURCH. 


1. REV. JOHN ANDREW. 


Son of James and Esther Andrew, original settlers, and 
members of the Midway church, was born in Liberty county 
September 14, 1758, and baptized October 14th following. 
His father, James Andrew, was clerk of the Midway church 
for five years, from 1766 to 1771. His father died December 
5, 1770, and his mother July 6, 1773, and he being left, a lad 
of fifteen years old. The war of the Revolution coming on, 
he entered the army till its close. The coast being all deso- 


144 HISTORY.OF MIDWAY CHURCH. 


lated at the close of the war, he removed to what is now 


known as Columbia, and where he joined the Methodist 
church and also entered the ministry of that church. For 
awhile he located and taught school. He died in 1830, and 
was buried in Oconee county, about one mile north of Farm- 
ington. He was the first native born Methodist minister, 
of the traveling connection, in the state. 


2. BISHOP JAMES OSGOOD ANDREW. 


- 


Son of the above, and grandson of James Andrew, one of 
the original settlers, and for a number of years clerk of the 


church, was bor: near Washington, in Wilkes county, May ~ 


3,1794. His father named him James Osgood after Rev. 
John Osgood, his father’s pastor, while he lived in Liberty 
county. He was licensed to preach in 1812 and received in- 
to the itineracy by the conference held in Charleston, South 
Carolina, the winter of that year, being then only nineteen 
years of age. At the General Conference of the Methodist 
Episcopal church held at Philadelphia in 1832, was elected 
and ordained Bishop; was requested by the General Confer- 
ence at New York in 1843, by a vote of one hundred and 
eleven to sixty-nine, to desist from performing the official 
functions of his office because his wife was the owner of a 
few slaves. Atthe meeting of the Southern Delegates at 
Louisville, Kentucky, May 1, 1845, Bishop Andrew presided: 
and at the organization of the Southern church at Peters- 
burg, Virginia, in 1846, he was reinstated and continued 
Bishop until his death, which occurred at Mobile, Alabama, 
March 1, 1871. 

He dieae felt an interest in the home of his aiiecsbon In 
passing through Liberty county once, he went to the grave- 
yard and knelt near the graves of his grandparents and 
their pastor, and lifted up his soul in prayer to God. 

He was the first Georgian who had ever been elevated to 
the position of Bishop, as his father had been the first Geor- 


gian who became a traveling preacher in that church. Rey. 


George J. Smith, in his history of Methodism, says of him: 
“His son, bearing his name, grandson, W. P. Lovett, 


4 
“ 


- ue Peery = = 
<a ~ Bee ee 


METHODIST MINISTERS. 145 


- Foster son, Alex. M. Wynn, all followed him in the work of 


the ministry.’ ‘All Methodism,” says the writer just quo- 
ted, ‘‘owes a debt to James O. Andrew, all Southern Meth- 


odism an especial one.’’” 


3. REV. WILLIAM HENRY CASSELS. 


The son of Elias and Sarah (Jones) Cassels, and brother 
of Rev. Samuel J. and Rev. John B. Cassels, was born in Lib- 
erty county September 22, 1797; baptized October 8, 1797; 
afterwards became a Methodist minister and labored in the 
vicinity of Bainbridge, Georgia, and also in Gadsden, Leon, 
Jefferson, Madison, and Sewannee counties, Florida. He 
died September, 1857, and was buried in the Chester 
church graveyard in Decatur county, Georgia. 


4. REV. DANIEL MCLACHLAN STEWART. 


Son of General Daniel Stewart, was born in Liberty coun- 
ty October 21,1791, and was baptized December 4th fol- 
lowing; removed to Florida, and in after life became a local 
minister in the Methodist church. The writer remembers 
hearing him preach at the Methodist campmeeting at Tay- 
lor’s Creek, Liberty county, in 1843. Hedied at his home 
in Alachua county, Florida, in 1847, and was buried at 
“‘Potosi,”’ the country home of the family, ten miles south of 
Newnansville. 


5. REV. JOSEPH ANDREWS. 


Son of Micajah and Ann (Quarterman) Andrews and 
grandson of Isham Andrews, one of the original settlers, 
was born in Liberty county June 12, 1798, and was reared 
in the bosom of the church, being dedicated to the Lord in 
baptism July 22,1798, and afterwards became a member 
and minister in the Methodist church. In after years he re- 
moved to Florida, where he died and was buried. 


1. Smith’s History of Methodism, P.281. 2. Idem, P. 284. 


146 HISTORY OF MIDWAY CHURCH. 


6. REV. EDWARD QUARTERMAN ANDREWS. 


Son of Micajah and Ann (Quarterman) Andrews and 
brother of the above, and grandson of Isham Andrews; his 
mother, Ann Quarterman, being a granddaughter of John 
Quarterman, sr., one of the original settlers, and all mem- 
bers of Midway church, was born in Liberty county March 
31, 1800, and was baptized October 26th following. In af- 
ter years he connected himself with the Methodist church, 
and became a local and useful minister, supplying destitute 
fields around; for several years was employed by the ex- 
ecutors of the Lambert estate, as missionary to the colored 
people in Liberty county, and for awhile supplying at the 
same time the white people. He died May 19, 1880, leaving 
among other children, one son, Christopher Columbus, a h- 
censed exhorter, and one daughter, Caroline, who became 
the wife of Rev. D. J. Myrick and the mother of Mr. Bascom 
Myrick, for so many years editor of the Americus Times- 
Recorder. 


7. REV. ROBERT QUARTERMAN ANDREWS. 


Brother of the above, was born in Liberty county March 
23, 1805; baptized May 19th of the same year; received into 
Midway church August 28, 1825; afterwards, like his broth- 
er, connected himself with the Methodist church, and be- 


came a minister in the same. He died in Savannah and was ~ 


buried at Olivet church, Liberty county. He left a son, 


Hartwell, likewise a minister in the same church. 


8. REV. HANSFORD ANDREWS. 


Son of Rev. Joseph and Dorcas (Shave) Andrews, was 
born in Liberty county October 12, 1821. He joined the 
Methodist church and became a minister until his death, 
May 6, 1893. 


9. REV. WILLIAM MYDDLETON QUARTERMAN. 


Son of Rev. Robert Quarterman, pastor of Midwaychurch, 


METHODIST MINISTERS. - - 147: 


and Margaret Esther Myddleton, was born in 1816, and 
baptized at Midway December 15,1816. His mother was 
the second wife of his father, and he was therefore only half 
brother to the other sons, who were ministers, whose moth- 
er was Mary Jemima Way. He removed to Florida and 
connected himself with the Methodist church, and became a 


_ minister of the same, and died there. 


= 


10. REV. MOSES WILLIAM WAY. 


Son of Moses Way, a deacon in Midway church. His 
mother was Elizabeth Bacon, (aunt of the writer.) He was 
born in Liberty county in October, 1825, and reared up in 
the bosom of Midway church, until about sixteen years of 
age, when he entered the Methodist church and became a 
minister in the same; also a teacher till his death, which 
occurred at Taylor’s Creek December 12, 1859. He was 
buried with his people in Midway cemetery. 


11. REV. JOSEPH LAW. 


Son of Rey. Samuel Spry Law and brother of Rev. Josiah 
S. Law, Baptist minister, was born in Liberty county ; grad- 
uated at the University of Georgia; entered upon the prac- 
tice of law, and afterwards the ministry of the Methodist 


- church, and died after the war at or near Bainbridge, Ga. 


12. REV. JOHN LITTLEBERRY HENDRY. 


Son of Littleberry Hendry and grandson of Robert Hendry, 
who was a member of Midway church, was bornat Taylor’s 
Creek, Liberty county, in 1854; connected himself with 
the Methodist church and entered the ministry of the same 
about 1882; removed to Texas, from whence he went as a 
missionary to China about 1890, and where he is still la- 
boring. : 


13. REV. JOHN SHEPPARD. 
Son of David H. Sheppard and brother: of Rev. David F. 


148 HISTORY OF MIDWAY CHURCH. 


Sheppard; his mother, the daughter of Simon Fraser, and 


sister of Rev. Dr. Donald Fraser; was born in Liberty coun- — 


ty; entered the ministry of the Methodist church, and died 
after a brief ministry. 


EPISCOPAL MINISTERS. 


In addition to the names already given, I mention the fol- 
lowing, in connection with the Episcopal church: 


1. REV. THOMAS GOULDING POND. 


Son of Dr. Asa and Lucy (Goulding) Pond and grandson 
of Dr. Thomas Goulding, was born at Lexington, Georgia, 
January 31, 1827; removed with his parents to Columbus 
when quite a boy, where he lived and grew to manhood; 
graduated from Franklin college withsecond honor, in 1845; 
married Mary Cornelia Jones, daughter of William Jones, of 
Liberty county, July 14, 1853; taught school till the war, 
in which he served the whole four years; after the war he 
-applied for orders in the Episcopal church, and was ordained 
by Bishop R. H. Wilmer in Mobile, Alabama, in 1871. His 
first Parish was in Marion, Alabama; the next, in Albany, 
Georgia; the last five years of his life were spent as a mis- 
sionary in northeast Georgia, at Gainesville, Clarksville, 
Tallulah Falls, and Mt. Airy; his home being in Mt. Airy, 
where he died March 24, 1894. He was buried at Albany, 
Georgia. 


‘ 


2. REV. HENRY KOLLOCK REES. 


So named after the celebrated minister, Dr. Kollock, pas- 
tor of the Independent church, of Savannah, and was the 
son of Ebenezer Rees, grandson of Judge Advocate Rees, 
and a regular descendant of the Liberty county people on 
his grandmother’s side. Iam unable to give her maiden 
name, but she was twice married; first, to John Kell, sr., of 
Sunbury, spoken of in the disqualifying act as “gentleman,” 
and became the grandmother of Captain J. M. Kell and Rey. 
Dr. A. T. Holmes; and second, to Judge Advocate Rees, and 


a 
i 
™ 


~ 


‘ 
4 
7 


a eee , 
A) 


EPISCOPAL MINISTERS. 149 


became the grandmother of the above. Rev. H. K. Rees 
was first a Presbyterian minister, located at Darien, but af- 
terwards entered the Episcopal church, and was Rector at 
Macon, Ga., for a number of years. He died at Darien, Ga., 
March 25, 1893. 

And now we pause here to express our own astonishment, 
as well as what must be that of others, at the above long 


- list of ministers and able men that have gone out from the 


old church. Was the like ever known? Where else upon the 
face of the habitable globe, did so small a fountain ever send 
out so many and large streams? The earth has produced 
but one Niagara, but one Mt. Blanc, -but one lake Como. 
So it has given us but one Midway church. Surely the 
mould was broken into which this people were cast. When 
the remains of the immortal Washington were deposited in 
the Sarcophagus at Mount Vernon the key to the receiving 


- vault was cast into the bosom of the Potomac, and there 


locked up in his solitary resting place ‘‘The father of his 
country”’ sleeps, beside his wife, in solitude undisturbed. So 
this grand old church, with its wondrous record and sacred 
memories, lies locked up in solitary grandeur, in the place of 
its entombment, alike to remain the constant marvel of his- 
tory, as well as the favorite shrine of the pilgrim, and prop- 
er theme for future story and song. 

Nor yet can any one glance at the above without seeing 
the large debt due her from other denominations. It is a 


_ singular fact that though the church was Congregational, 


not a single one of all the scores of ministers going out from 
her ever entered her folds. The motto on the old colonial 
seal, ‘‘Non sibi sed aliis,”’ not for ourselves, but for others, 
might well be inscribed upon her tomb. She has been a real 
nursery for the Presbyterian church, and it is difficult to see 
how that church could well have gotten along without her 
aid. Neither is it easy to say how much the Baptist and 
Methodist churches are likewise indebted for contributions 
to their working forces. It is simply impossible to tell how 
much the Baptists are indebted for two such men as Chan- 
cellor P. H. Mell and Dr. Edward A. Stevens, missionary, 
both of whom were consecrated to the Lord in infancy, upon 


150 HISTORY OF MIDWAY CHURCH. 
SAE RIE oT AEN GN Ean WORN SEED Te et ee eee e 

her Altars. Or the Methodists for one such man, as ‘Sanoae 
James Osgood Andrew, the grandson of her clerk, James An- 
drew, and so named in honor of her first pastor, Rev. John ; 
Osgood. 


hiss 


s a. 
‘S 5 ia 


soa ee Ac see Vin tie WE BA Pee: 


WOMEN---MINISTERS’ WIVES. - 


In speaking of the noted characters who have gone out © 
from this grand old church, I would be recreant to my duty, 
did I fail to make special mention of some, at least, of the 
noble women, who have gone, out from the same. No ~ 
church has ever furnished such a host of devoted Christian — 
women, and certainly none ever had the honor of furnishing 
sO many ministers’ wives. Among the number of those 
whose names I now recall, | mention the following: ‘ 

Mrs. Mary Baker, widow of Col. John Baker, who ee 
wards became the wifeof Dr. McWhir. Renchie Norman, first _ 
the wife of Thomas Quarterman, and secondly the wife of 
Senator John Elliott, and lastly, married Rev. Cyrus Gilder- 
sleeve, the pastor of the church. Ann Winn, the daughter of — 
Peter Winn, for ten years deacon in the church, who became. 
the wife of Prof. J. R. Ripley, D. D., professor at Newton 
Seminary, Mass., for forty-five years. Mrs. Sarah Me- 
Connell (Miss Walthour), the second wife of Rev. George 
Howe, D. D., professor for fifty-two years of Columbia Sem- 
inary, and whose daughter, Augusta (McConnell), became 
the wife of Rev. B. M. Palmer, D. D:, for so many years the 
pastor of the church at New Orleans. Mary Jones, the grand- | 
daughter of Major John Jones, Gf Revolutionary fame, who 
married Rev. C. C. Jones, D. D., professor at Columbia Sem-- 
inary, and who was the siauhes of Hon: \C; (Cig. jr oe 
LL. D., archaeologist and historian, and of Dr. Joseph Jones, 
Beene at Tulane Medical College, New Orleans, and of 
Mary Sharpe Jones, who was the wife of Rey. R. Q. Mallard, — 
D. D., editor of the Southwestern Presbyterian, New Orleans. 
Amanda, the daughter of George Walthour, and wife of Rev. 
Dr. William Curtis, of the Baptist church. Cornelia, the 
daughter of Thomas Bacon, and wife of Rev. Rev. Mr. Fos- 
ter, of the same church. The two daughters of Dr. Thomas — 


i 


» 
e 4 


ht 


te 


; aie kg Tie sas ee EOS 


+ 


WOMEN—MINISTERS’ WIVES. 151 


Charlotte, the first wife of Rev. Francis McMurray. Mary 
Eliza Winn, the daughter of Major John and Eliza Winn, and 
_ great granddaughter of Rev. John Osgood, the old pastor, 
a and wife of Rev. Samuel J. Cassels. The two daughters of 
_ Rev. Robert Quarterman, the pastor; Susan Caroline, the 
wife of Rev. Richard Q. Way, who, with her husband, spent 
_ sixteen years in Ningpo, China, as missionaries, and Mary, 
~ who married Rey. Thomas S. Winn, now of Alabama, and 
- whose daughter, Mary Lelia, nas been for sixteen years mis- 
'- sionary in Japan. Felix, the daughter of Rev. J. W. Baker, 
“and wife of Prof. James Woodrow, D. D., president of South 
‘Carolina college, and whose daughter, Jean, is the wife of 
_ Rey. Samuel Woodbridge, missionary to Japan. Louisa 
Jones, daughter of Samuel Jones, and wife of Rev. Augustus 
a ©. Bacon, and mother of -Hon. Augustus O. Bacon, 
“ee United States Senator. Eliza Cassels, the daughter of 
> Rev. Samuel J. Cassels, and widow of the late Rev. 
a J. M. Quarterman. Valeria Cassels, the daughter of Elder 
Thomas QO. Cassels, and wife of Rev. Donald Fraser, D. D., 
and mother of Rev. Chalmers Fraser, pastor of Georgia Av- 
enue church, Atlanta. Mary Winn Stacy, daughter of Ezra 
' Stacy, deacon, and the wife of Rev. N. P. Quarterman, pas- 
- tor of the Quincy church, Florida. Laura Maxwell, daugh- 
’ ter of Col. James A. and Susan Maxwell, and wife of Rev. D. 
L. Buttolph, D. D., for thirteen years pastor of Midway 
church. Sarah Baker, daughter of John O. Baker, and sec- 
_ ond wife of Rev. John Winn. . Elizabeth, the daughter of 
_ . James Wood, and wife of Rev. William W. Stegall, a Meth- 
odist rhinister. Eloisa Baker, the daughter of W. Q. Baker, 
- who married Rev. J. H. Alexander. Caroline, the daughter 
_ of Rev. R. Q. Andrews, and wife of Rev. D. J. Myrick and 
mother of Bascom Myrick, editor. The two daughters of 
_ Edward Quarterman, deacon, and granddaughters of Rey. 
Robert Quarterman, the pastor; Aurilla, who married Rev. 
ey J: M. Austin, of the Methodist church, and Lizzie, the wife of 
Rev. A. B. Curry, pastor of the First Church, Birmingham, 
Alabama. Cornelia, daughter of W.L. Jones, who married 


¥ 


= 


~ ee 
BP Cu. eg 


* 


152 HISTORY OF MIDWAY CHURCH. 
Rev. Thomas Pond, the Episcopal minister. Mary, the 
daughter of Baxter Cassels, and wife of Rev. C. C. Carson, 
pastor of Flemington church. ° f 

I might mention others, but these will suffice. Who can 
estimate the influence of these wives and mothers upon the 
rising generations of the world? Their influence will be felt 
for ages yet to come. 


CHAPTER X. 


SUMMING UP. 


From the foregoing recital, it is perfectly obvious that the 
writer is freed from every charge of exaggeration in the com- 
mendatory notice previously given of this wonderful old 
church. Where is another to be found like unto it 
upon the habitable globe? It stands sui generis in its iso- 
lated grandeur, like some mountain peak that lifts its head 
far above all the rest. Look at the record! Four govern- 
ors. Two signers of the Declaration of Independence. Six 
Congressmen, two of whom were Senators. Six counties 
named after her, five after her illustrious men, and the sixth 
after her own self, and achieved by her own prowess. Eighty- 
two ministers of the gospel. Six college professors. Three 
professors in Theological Seminaries. Two University 
chancellors. Six Foreign missionaries. Two judges of su- 
perior courts. Three solicitots. Three presidents of Female 
Colleges. Two mayors of cities. One United States Minis- 
ter to a Foreign country. Four authors and one authoress. 
One historian. One professor in a Medical college. Three 
clerks of Presbyteries. Oneclerk of Synod. One president 
of Board of Directors of a Theological Seminary. One sec- 


SUMMING UP. RS: 


retary of a Board of Home Missions of one of the leading de- 

nominations of the country. Six editors, one of a leading 

agricultural journal. One State superintendent of public 

: schools, and one of city schools. One president of a State 

Normal School. Besides, a host of teachers, attorneys, doc- 

tors, and professional men, together with prominent busi- 

ness men, all of whom are found scattered everywhere and 
usually filling important, prominent positions. 

Instead of being a laggard in the race, the Midway people 
have ever been in the lead. The parish of St. Johns was the 
first to assert her independence, and in advance of the rest 
of the colony to send her representative (Lyman Hall) to 
the Continental Congress. So also the last to surrender, the 
town of Sunbury being the last of Georgia soil to surrender 

_ to the British; the last flag to surrender being that which 
floated from the ramparts of Fort Morris. They were the 
first to establish a school of any prominence in the State; 
the first to lead offin the Temperance Reform; the first na- 
tive born Presbyterian minister in Georgia; the first Meth- 
odist traveling minister in the State; the first Methodist 
Bishop in the Southern church,! were all from this people. 

~The first Baptist Foreign missionary ‘from the South, Dr. 
_ Edward Abiel Stevens, was baptized in that church in in- 
fancy. So the first Presbyterian Foreign missionaries from 
the whole country south and west of Carolina, Rev. R. Q. 
Way and wife, were members of that church. The first 
Southern Foreign missionary to lay down his life and buried 
under heathen soil, Rev. John Winn Quarterman, was from 
that church. The first minister extraordinary and pleni- 
potentiary from any nationality to the Imperial Court of 
China, Hon. John E. Ward, was a native of that parish and 
amember of that church. The first inventor of a sewing 
machine, the Rev. F. R. Goulding, was a native of that place 

- and son of the church. The first masonic lodge formed in the 
State, King Solomon, now Solomon’s lodge, of Savannah, 
was, according to tradition, organized by Gen. Oglethorpe, 
under a large oak at Sunbury, and parts of which were con- 


1. Bishop Soule, the other Southerner, did not adhere to the church until the con- 
ference at Petersburg, Virginia, in 1845. 


154. : HISTORY OF MIDWAY CHURCH. 


verted into a gavel and chair, the former presented by Mrs. 
Perla Sheftall to that lodge, and still used by them. 

In 1851 the General Assembly of the Presbyterian church 
met (before the division) in St. Louis, and it was a noticea- 
ble fact that of the commissioners gathered from different 
parts of the country, four should be the sons of Midway 
church, viz.: Dr. Daniel Baker from West Texas Presbytery, 
Dr. C. C. Jones from Georgia Presbytery, Rev. John Jones 
from Cherokee Presbytery, and Rev. R. M. Bakerfrom Hope- 
well Presbytery, a thing unprecedented in the history of the 
church. 

Nor is this vet all. For the past thirty-eight years of the 
Southern Presbyterian church’s existence, from the time of 
its organization in the city of Augusta, December, 1861, 
down to the present day, with the exception of the years 
1864, 1875, 1880, and 1883, there has not been a single 
General Assembly but that the old church has had one or 
more representatives, lay or clerical, sitting in her councils, 
assisting in her legislation and taking part in the develop- 
ment of her life and character. 

To show still further the ramification and intertwining of 
this people with the rest of the country, the writer hopes to 
be pardoned for giving a little of his own personal experience. 

After leaving home he taught school for six months in 
Screven county, named after Gen. Screven, a Liberty county 
man; then he went to Oglethorpe College, where he found 
Rev. J. W. Baker, a Liberty county man, as one of the pro- 
fessors, with Prof. J. B. Mallard in charge of the Midway 
Female Academy near by. After graduating, he entered the 
Theological Seminary at Columbia, South Carolina, and 
found Dr. C. C. Jones, another Liberty county man, in one 
of the chairs as professor. After licensure he went to preach 


in Lumpkin and Cuthbert. In the former place he found~ 


himself in Stewart county, named after a Liberty county 
man; also found Col. S. B. Spencerin charge of the Male 
Academy, Mr. Oliver Stevens president of the Female College, 
and himself in charge of the Presbyterian church, with Cols. 
Bennett and Gaulden leading attorneys in the place and all 
from Liberty county. In Cuthbert he found Rey. Dr. A. T. 


SUMMING UP. 155 
Holmes president of the Baptist Female College. His next 
field was in Troup county, and every week would pass the 
Baptist Female College at LaGrange, under the manage- 


- ment ofa Liberty county man, Mr. Milton Bacon. After 


removing to Newnan he found Rev. R. Q. Mallard pastor of 
the Central church, Atlanta, Rev. John Jones pastor at Grif- 
fin, and himself pastor at Newnan, and all three from Mid- 
way church. 

And how isit today? Though nearly forty years have 
passed, we find the old church still asserting its supremacy 
in church and state. A survey of the country still show Lib- 
erty county people every where and still in positions of hon- 
or and trust. We find one of our leading Senators, Hon. A. 
O. Bacon, a Liberty county man, in the halls. of the nation. 
We find the Adjutant General of the State, Captain J. M. 
Kell, the grandson of a Liberty county man. We find the 
president of the State Normal School, Captain S. D. Brad- 
well, a Liberty county man, and two of the teachers and the 
matron from the same place. We find the superintendent of 
the Public Schools in Savannah, W. H. Baker, and two of 
the principal teachers in that school from Liberty county. 
We find John Baker, president of the ‘‘ Young Female College’’ 
at Thomasville, a Liberty county man. We find the de- 


- scendants of Milton Bacon, another Liberty county man, 


the managers of the Southern Baptist Female College, at 


College Park. We find the clerkship of the Synod of Georgia, 


and three out of the six Presbyteries, in the hand of Liberty 
county men. The moderator of the last General Assembly 


- of the Southern Presbyterian church, Dr. R. Q. Mallard, was 


a Liberty county man. So the solicitor ot the Eastern cir- 
cuit, Wallace Winn Fraser, the matron of the Augusta Or- 
phan’s Home, Mrs. Julia McKinne,! one of the leading archi- 
tects of the State, Grant Wilkins, areallfrom Liberty county. 
In the recent political campaign the chairman of the Atlanta 
Young Men’s Democratic club was W. J. Mallard, a Liberty 
connty man. And eveninthe department of athletics, we 
see a Walthour published as the champion bicyclist in the 


~South. What a record! 


1. Since died. 


156 HISTORY OF MIDWAY CHURCH. es % 


When we remember that this was a church of plain coun- 
try people, located in a sickly and sparsely populated sec- 
tion; the church edifice forty by sixty feet, with a member- 
ship not reaching one hundred and fifty white members, un- 


til the latter half ofits existence, when it scarcely at any 


time doubled that, the whole number of white members, as 
gathered from the records, during its entire existence of one 


hundred and thirteen years, being only seven hundred and 


fifty-two; when we remember what that church has accom- 
plished and is still doing for the world, we are lost in won- 
der! The impress and influence. of such a church upon the 
world must simply be beyond all human calculation. Eter- 
nity alone will be able to reveal the good done by that one 
church and community. 

As a fitting close to this sketch, and that too in full ac- 
cord with one of Solomon’s sayings: ‘‘Let another man 
praise thee, and not thine own mouth, a stranger and not 
thine own lips.”’ (Prov. xxvi:2), I quote the following from 
the historian Stevens: 

‘“‘The accession of such a people was an honor to Georgia, 


and has ever proved one of its richest blessings. The sons — 


of that colony have shown themselves worthy of its sires. 
Their sires were the moral and intellectual nobility of the 
Province.’’! 


-REASONS FOR SUCCESS. 


. And now the question comes up, How account for all this? 
Where were the hidings of this church’s power? Why the 
rich, abundant harvest here, and the extreme sterility, pov- 
erty, and absolute emptiness in so many other fields ? 
Although the ultimate answer isin the good pleasure of 
God, who, in the exercise of His sovereign prerogative, put- 
teth down one and setteth up another,” yet as he works by 
means, we are fully warranted in looking for the secondary 
agencies, through which he executes his purposes. As in na- 
ture, so here, men do not gather grapes of thorns nor figs of 
thistles. Nothing can be expected from the rocky soil, the 


1. His. Vol. I P. 381.- 2. PS. Ixxv, 7. 


REASONS FOR SUCCESS. 157 


stony ground, or fallow fields. Itis the good ground only 
that yields thirty, sixty, or an hundred fold, as the Savior 
so pointedly puts it. Good work can only follow good ma- 
terial. Brass will never take the polish of fine gold. The 
early settlers of St. John’s parish were the right kind of ma- 
terial, the worthy sons of noble sires, the descendants of 
men who had been tried, who had left their homes and all 
for conscience sake, and come to this country that they 
might enjoy freedom in the worship of God. They were men 
of the deepest religious convictions, courage and resolution, 
and not afraid of hardships and sufferings; but rather the 
better prepared by those very hardships for the destiny 
awaiting them. The words of Longfellow fitly apply here :1 

“God had sifted three Kingdoms 

To find the wheat for this planting, 

Then had sifted the wheat as the 

Living seed of tie Nation.” 

Gathered from different places, bruised, sifted, and win- 
nowed, they were just the sort of seed for that planting. 

In studying the history as wellas the religious life and 
character of this people, there are several things worthy of 
remark, and which may serve to throw light upon this 
question. 

1. The first thing we mention is their intense scrupulous- 
ness to meet all their pecuniary obligations, especially what 
they owed their minister. It was the regular custom, at the 
annual meeting in March, when pews were chosen, to give 
notes fot the same and made collectable by law. So we find 
again and again the order issued by the Session to have all| 
_ the unpaid notes put into the hand of the civil officer for col- 
lection. I mention another fact still more significant. In 
the form of the call adopted June 26, 1771, after promising 
all due candor, respect and brotherly love, and stating the 
amount of salary pledged, then follows these PEER TS 
words, (the italics ours.): 

“In the which payments, well and truly to be made, we, 
the Select men and Trustees of said church and society, be- 
ing thereto by them empowered and required, do bind ou:- 


1. Miles Standish. 


158 HISTORY OF MIDWAY CHURCH. . 


selves, our heirs, executors and administrators, to you, said 
/ 
your certain attorney, heirs, executors, administrators, and 
assigns, in the penal sum of two hundred pounds a 
In witness whereof, etc.’’1 
The idea of binding themselves and their heirs, by a heel 
sum of double the amount, to secure the payment of the 
promised salary! Whata flood of light do these simple 
words throw upon the character of these earnest, simple 
hearted people! Can the annals of any other church pro- 
duce a parallel? ‘ 
And indeed the idea after all is not such a bad one. When 
we remember that the charge against Ananias and Sapphira, 


and for which they were smitten to the earth, was not lying — 


in general, but a particular type of lying, consisting in 
promising to the Lord and taking back, we cannot with- 
hold our commendation from this people, in their earnest 
endeavor to see that this particular debt be paid. I hesitate 
not to affirm that it is this particular species of lying, this 
utter disregard of pecuniary vows and obligations, solemnly 
entered unto the Lord, that is the worm at the root eating 
up the life and sapping the very foundation of so many of 
the churches of the land. 

2. A-second thing equally remarkable and significant, is 
the practice already alluded to of reading sermons by the 
deacons and others, in the absence of the pastor. This prac- 
tice, as already stated, commenced at a very early day,? and 
in order to insure the service, the deacon, in some instances, 
was paid. As there were five preaching places, and only 
two ministers, with preaching every Sunday at Midway du- 
ring the winter months, the ‘“‘reading days’’ were very fre- 
quent, and even more numerous than those for preaching. 
Where else has the like ever been known? A congregation 
patiently listening to two sermons read by laymen on Sun- 
day before returning home, and in some instances actually 
paying the deacon for the service? Is it any marvel that God 
rewarded such zeal, and also wonderfully blessed that peo- 
ple? 


1. Pub. Rec. P.68. 2. The practice-still obtains toa certain extent in some of the 
offspring churches. 


Ms ‘ 


REASONS FOR SUCCESS. 159 


3. A third equally remarkable and unusual thing was the 
common and well nigh universal practice of family worship. 
Very few families were destitute of the family altar of prayer, 
in many instances even widowed mothers officiating with 
her fatherless children, and bowing together with them 
around that altar morning and evening. I have it from the 
lips of Rev. Thomas S. Winn, one of the pastors, that soon 


_ after his acceptance of the co-pastorate of the church, when 
journeying to the Presbytery at St. Marys, in company 


with Dr. Axson, then senior pastor, that he (Axson) told him 
that so far as he knew, family worship was generally kept 
up in all the families of the church. What a startling and 
wonderful statement, coming from the lips of a pastor. No 
wonder the church accomplished such wonderful feats, for 
the power of Jehovah was its own. 

4. Another factor leading to these results was their hearty 
endorsement of the Abrahamic covenant and the high ap- 
preciation, in which the rite of Infant Baptism was held. 
The records show nearly as many baptisms of infants as 
births; the recorded. births being 1,035, and the baptisms 
945. These pious people fully believed and laid hold of the 
precious promise, ‘‘I will be a God to thee and thy seed after 
thee,’’ and showed their belief by giving their children unto 
the Lord in the holy ordinance of baptism. Nor yet was 
this an idle and unmeaning ceremony, for they felt the force 
of the vows assumed; and not only parents, but the church 
in its collective capacity felt the great responsibility resting 
upon them as the custodians of these lambs of the fold, these 
minors of the commonwealth of Israel, to guard their inter- 
ests and to do all in their power to train them for his glory. 
In the earlier history of the colony, they even asserted the 
right of exercising discipline over the parents of these bap- 
tized children, as well as the children themselves, when neg- 
lectful of duty. How different the modern idea that not even 
parents, much less the church, have any special authority 
in connection with the children of the church. 

5. And coming upon the heel of this, and as the result of 
it, we find them noted for the thorough religious training 


and discipline of the children. They were religiously taught 


160 HISTORY OF MIDWAY CHURCH. 


from childhood. Parents strove to impress upon the minds 
and hearts of their children that their first great concern 
was to seek the kingdom of God and. his righteousness, and 
that any other than a religious life was a failure. Therewas — 
constantly held up betore their youthful minds, by parents - 
and others,! the high dignity and honor of being called into 
the ministry, accompanied with earnest desire that they too — 
should so see it. O, the anxious pleadings of many a moth- 
er’s heart, like that of Hannah of old, that God would train 
her child for his service. Many a son had been given to the 
Lord and trained from infancy for the ministry, by loving, 
anxious parents. Asa striking example of this, I mention 
the case of the mother of Dr. Edward Abiel Stevens, mis- 
sionary, who, it is said, consecrated her son in childhood to 
the very mission field to which he was afterwards sent in 
the providence of God.? Is it astonishing then that so many 
were called into the ministry? 

6. Still another thing conspiring to beings about such. 
grand results, was the strict observance of the Sabbath day. 
God has made the Sabbath the symbol of his authority, as 
well as a sign between himself and his people, and no nation 
or people can trample that insignia of his supremacy under 
foot and prosper. With the Midway people the Sabbath 
was emphatically the ‘‘Sabbath of the Lord,” and nota part 
simply but the whole of it. The day was to be strictly ob- 
served not only by themselves, but even by strangers pas- 
sing through on the highways with their herds, requiring 
them to rest until Monday. The old puritan idea prevailed, 
of beginning the day with a Saturday night preparation, 
the children being required to set aside their playthings and 
get ready for the services next day. I repeat, therefore, with 
emphasis, that it is no wonder that a people so religious 


1. It was said of Mr. T. Q. Cassels, deacon, that it was his invariable custom to sug- 
gest the ministry to every young man in the church as soon as converted. 


2. This custom of formally consecrating their children unto the Lord, seéms to have 
been rather common with the early Baptists of Liberty county, many of whom had gone 
out from the Midway church, and still showing its influence upon them. I mention two 
other instances at least. In Dr. Ripley’s Memoirs of Rev. Thomas Sumner Winn (Bap- 
tist) he said: ‘Rev. Mr. Screven, of Sunbury, was present at Newport, and preached. 
Sumner administered the ordinance (Lord’s Supper) and offered prayer for two children, 
who were publicly dedicated to the Lord by their pareuts.”’ Page 46. So the Hon. A. O. 
Bacon, United States Senator, being presented by his grandmother, was thus publicly 
dedicated to the Lord at Walthourville, 1837; my informer being Rev. Thomas Sumner 
Winn (Presbyterian) who was present and witnessed the same. The prayer of conse- 


cration was offered by Rev. Dr. Thomas Curtis. 


REASON FOR SUCCESS. 161] 


should be so wonderfully blessed. ‘‘They that honor me will 
Ihonor. If thou turn thy foot from the Sabbath, from 
doing thy pleasurs on my holy day, and call the 
Sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honorable, and 
shalt honor him, not doing thine own ways nor finding 
thine own pleasure nor speaking thine own words, then 
shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord, and I will cause thee 
to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with 
the heritage of Jacob, thy father, for the mouth of the Lord 
hath spoken it.’”! 

7. I mention but one thing more as worthy of special em- 
phasis, and that is the entire absence of everything like 
religious excitement, periodical protracted services, anxious 
seats, and all the modern methods of church machinery and 
mere human appliances. These things were all looked upon 
with extreme suspicion, and were entirely discarded. The 
writer remembers but two protracted meetings in his day, 
and these not of previous appointment, but demanded by 
the prevalence of deep religious feeling at the time. They 
looked upon home training, prayer at the family altar and 
in the closet, and the regular Sabbath ministration of the 
word, as the means of building up the church. They sowed 
every day with the expectation of reaping every day. They 
required of their pastors written sermons, even the colored 
members preferring the written discourses. to extemporane- 
ous harangues. The result was that grace was constantly 
descending like dew, the power of the Lord ever present to 
heal, the church continually strengthened by regular addi- 
tions. They built firmly but securely, and with wonderful 
success as already seen.” 

The things just enumerated, together with the peculiar en- 
vironments of this people, they being almost wholly isolated 
from the rest of the world; the entire absence of the 
saloon and all the temptations and frivolities of modern 
life, we believe under God, to be: the agencies in bringing 
about the results so remarkable and glorious. 

1. Isailviii,13and14. 2. The course pursued by this people might be one extreme, 
but infinitely better than the opposite of periodical and annual excitement. There is 


such a thing as ‘Reviving a church to death,” as a Baptist brother once said of a cer- 
tain community in Georgia, in which he lived. 


— 


162 HISTORY OF MIDWAY CHURCH. 


Now, whether these explanations be regarded as satisfac- 
tory or not, we feel assured that if the past order of things 
could be restored, and this deep and fervent piety; this spirit 
of daily consecration; this regular attendance upon the ser- — 
vices of the sanctuary ; this establishment of the family altar 
in every household; this careful training of the children; this . 
strict observance of the Sabbath, and this constant, every 
day faithful religion, could be reinstated, then we would 
again see the return of this marvelous spiritual power, and 
these churches of the land, so many of which are now dead 
and fruitless, would again exhibit signs of returning life, and — 
if not like this old church, yielding an hundred, would cer- 

_ tainly yield thirty and sixty fold. Itis simply the absence 
of spiritual life, and not the absence of church machinery, 
that stamps them with such spiritual dearth. 


REMARKS. 


In connection with the history of this old chureh I have 
still some further remarks to offer. ; 
1. The history of this church will remain to the latest gen- 
eration a refutation of the old hackneyed charge of Puritan- 
ism. Weconstantly nowadays hear the terms “‘Puritan”’ 
and ‘‘Puritanical,’’.and often used by those who have no 
real conception of theirimport. It is customary now to 
term everything strict and deeply pious and religious ‘‘Pu-— 
ritanical.”’ Yes, these people were ‘‘Puritans.’”” So were 
Jeremiah, and the prophets, and Paul, and the apostles, and > 
Luther, and Zwingli, and Calvin, and Wesley, and Whit- 
field. Would that the whole world were Puritans, if such be 
the fruit. The world always accuses the zealous servants of 
God with madness. Tis true, in some instances, the old Pu- 
ritans did indulge in unwarranted excesses; but are there no 
excesses with which the people of this voluptuous and sen- 
sualistic age may not likewise be charged? With all their 
excesses, the world would be a thousand times better off un- 
der Puritan rule than under the opposite extreme of uni- 
versal laxity and ruffian disregard for all law and or- 
der, as we so often see in these latter days. It is high time 


REMARKS. 2 163 


the world was calling a halt in its vituperation and abuse 


_ of the old Pilgrim fathers, many of whom, judging by their 


fruits, are, to say the least of it, the full peers of their as- 
sailants of the present day. - 

2. The history of this old church is also a complete refuta- 
tion of the charge of those who look with such holy horror 


upon the ordinance of Infant Baptism, and who assail it as 
. the sum of allevils. In no community, perhaps, was this 


ordinance, in the time of its greatest prosperity, more uni- 
versally practiced. If it is the terrible thing that anti- 
pedobaptists would have us believe, why such rich blessings 
bestowed upon those into whose minds and hearts the ordi- 
nance was so thoroughly imbedded? If the Scripture rule 
be admitted, tojudge a tree by its fruits, the argument 
would be overwhelmingly in its favor. 

Should it be said that the same course of argument would 
be equally fatal to Presbyterianism and in favor of Congre- 
gationalism, as this church was Congregational in form, I 
answer that with the exception of Messrs. Osgood ard 
Holmes, the church, though Congregational in form, always 
had Presbyterian ministers. It supported the Presbyterian 
church, sending her contributions through that channel, and 
was generally known and in common parlance termed, the 
“Presbyterian church;”’ and all the ministers going out from 
it have become Presbyterians, not one having embraced the 
Congregational form of government. ° 

3. Still one other lesson, and that is what, within proper 
bounds and reasonable limits, might be termed the power 
and conservatism of the mixing process. Quite a number of 
individuals and even families came in after the settlement of 
the colony, but the first settlers, having already possession 
of the field impressed their ideas and methods upon all new 
comers, and like the woman with the meal, leavened the rest. 
See the importance, not only of starting, but keeping right, 
and resisting all outside influences, especially in connection 
with the possibilities of small fields. It was not until some 
of the earlier practices began to fall into disuse, by the intro- 
duction of a foreign element, that the old church began to 


show signs of weakness and decay. It is not the amount 


164. HISTORY OF MIDWAY CHURCH. 


of material at hand, but what is used, that tells. Let all the 
pastors of small congregations and churches take the hint 
and be encouraged. 


CHAPTER «XI. 


RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION OF THE NEGROES. 


Any account of this church would be decidedly incompiete, 
without distinct mention of the religious instruction of the 
negroes. The Carolina emigrants brought their slaves with 
them, and they comprised a large part of the population. 
When first established, the colony numbered about three 
hundred and fifty whites and fifteen hundred slaves, the av- 
erage increase of population being in favor of thelatterclass. 
For several years, it seems, no special effort was made for their 
evangelization. No mention is made of any accommodation . 
for them in the log meeting house, the first place of worship. 
In 1770, fourteen years after the erection of the first frame 
building, we find the society ordering ‘‘that the gallery be 
made commodious for the whites, and a shed be madefor the 
negroes.’’ Some seats were also provided for them in the 
building erected in Sunbury, after the war of the revolution, 
and also in the house on Jourdine’s Hill. Hence we find, as 
appears from the record, that for the first forty years, up to 
1792, only fifty of that people had been added to its mem- 
bership, though this was the only church anywhere within 
the county. 

During the ministry of Mr. Holmes, (1785-1791) some 
stimulus appears to have been given to the religious inter- 
est among this peopie. It was during his pastorate that 
Mingo, a freed man, then residing on Mr. Peter Winn’s plan- 


RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION OF THE NEGROES. 165 


tation, a man of piety and zeal, commenced, with the ap- 


‘probation of the church, preaching to his own color, in the 
woods southeast of the meeting house and just across the 
‘Sunbury road. The place was fitted up with booths of bushes, 


with wide seats and a raised platform in the center, on which 
Mingo stood, called ‘‘the stand.’’! Here it was, he preached 
on Sabbaths between the morning and afternoon services in 
the church. Healso held meetings at some of the planta- 
tions, and notably among them, on that of Mr. John Lam- 
bert, who felt a lively interest in the race, and engaged him 
to hold meetings regularly and statedly during his life time, 
on account of which, his plantation became a place of meet- 
ing for the negroes for the neighborhood; and even after his 
death in 1786, until 1838, when his estate, consisting of 
lands and slaves, left for charitable puposes, was sold and 
invested in something more productive. 

With Mingo was associated Jack, belonging to Mr. Sal- 
turs, and who, on account of his piety and services, was af- 
terwards bought by the church that he might give himself 
wholly to the work. He lived on Mr. Lambert’s place, and 
survived him several years. He was the father of Toney 
Stevens, who was afterwards colored minister under the su- 
pervision of the church. 

On the death of Jack Salturs, Sharper, belonging to Mrs. 
Quarterman, succeeded him. He wasa man of deep piety 
and zeal, and enjoyed the confidence of the wholecommunity 
till his death, in the spring of 1833. He not only preached 
at ‘‘the stand,’’ as his predecessors had done, but labored 
more abundantly than they all, holding meetings at the plant- 
ations of Mr. Lambert, Mr. James James, and others. He 
did much for the colored people. He died full ot years and 
universally lamented. The following is the account of his 
funeral given by Dr. Jones: 

“His funeral was held at night on the green in front of 
Midway church. Between two and three hundred negroes 
were present. At the close of the services we opened the 
cofin. The moon shone in his face. The people gazed upon 


1. Dr. Jones’ 10th Report. 


166 HISTORY OF MIDWAY CHURCH. | 


it and lifted up their voices and wept. His sons bore him to > s 


his grave. In silence we returned to our homes oppressed ~ 
with grief at this heavy affliction of God.’ 

Mr. Gildersleeve was the first minister who attempted sys- 
tematic work on behalf of the negroes. His habit was, every 
Sabbath, on return from services, to assemble with his own, all 
the negroes who might come, in his own parlor. Mr. Rob- 
ert Quarterman, afterwards minister, at that time a mem- 
ber of the family, asserted that ‘tthe parlor was for the most 
part crowded to overflowing and great interest was mani- 
fested.”’ 

In the year 1792 the present house of worship was erected 
with increased gallery accommodations for the colored peo- 
ple. ; 

In 1806 a meeting house was put up in the fork between 
North and South Newport rivers, called ‘‘Pleasant Grove.” 
Reading services were held here regularly every Sabbath, 
conducted by Messrs. Bradwell, John Ashmore, Col. Joseph 
Law, and others. It was afterwards made a station by the 
Methodist circuit riders, from which the colored people de- 
rived some benefit. 

In the same year the Baptists commenced operations in 
the county. They organized a church in Sunbury under the 
ministry of Rev. Charles O. Screven. Their meeting house 
was built in 1810, with a gallery for the negroes. Mr. 
Screven was assisted by Mr. Samuel S. Law, first as a dea- 
con, but afterwards, when ordained, held services every Sab- 
bath afternoon for them. 

Mr. Murphy succeeded Mr. Gildersleeve in 1811. Mr. 
Quarterman, not a professor of religion when in Mr. Gilder- 
sleeve’s house, but now received into the communion of the 
church, commenced weekly meetings for them, on Mr. Jones’ 
plantation, and continued for four years, till 1814. He was 
succeeded by Mr. John O. Baker till 1823. Mr. Oliver Ste- 
vens and Mr. John Osgood held services every Sabbath af- 
ternoon at Lambert’s plantation, beginning in 1811, and 
continuing for seventeen years, till Mr. Osgood’s death. Mr. 


1. Dr. Jones’ 10th Report. 


Ree as ek 
i nt Sad ear aller 


yrs. 


RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION OF THE NEGROES. 167 


John Dunwody and others also entered into active service 
in this field. 

About this time the appointment was made by the church 
of some of the most intelligent and pious men among the ne- 
groes to be ‘‘watchmen,”’ or kind of superintendents of the 
rest. Their charge embraced one or two plantations. Their 
duty was to look after the conduct of the rest, to report ca- 
ses requiring discipline, and to give instructions toinquirers. 
The necessity for this appointment grew out of the increas- 
ing numbers of additions to the church from this class, and 
also, the continued disposition of the whites to spend more 
of their time away at the retreats, from their plantations, 
and the negroes being deprived more and more of the re- 
straining influence of their presence. 

In the year 1818 a second Baptist church was formed at 
North Newport and a house of worship erected, with galler- 
ies for the use of the colored people of this church. Rev. 
Thomas Sumner Winn was for a short while pastor, 
who gave considerable attention to the spiritual improve- 
ment of the negroes, as he had some time before his licensure. 
This field was afterwards filled by Rev. Henry J. Ripley, who 
afterwards became professor in Newton Theological Semi- 
nary, Mass. Rev. Jacob Dunham, also for ten years mis- 
sionary of Sunbury Association, frequently preached to this 
people. Following the example of the Midway people, they 
also had.their ‘‘watchmen,’’ many of whom were to some 
extent exhorters. 

Still one other advance in the work. Rey. Robert Quar- 
terman succeeded Mr. Murphy as pastor of Midway church 
in 1823. The church, perceiving the necessity for a more 
careful and thorough instruction of this people, appointed, 
in addition to the ‘‘watchmen,’’ a committee of white men, 
located in different parts of the county, as ‘‘Instructors,”’ 
whose duty was to receive and instruct all persons under 
serious impressions, and to recommend to the church Ses- 
sion those whom they thought worthy of membership, the 
Session in the meantime having resolved not to consider the 
application for membership of any of this class unless they 
brought a recommendation from some one of thecommittee. 


oh Sea 


168 HISTORY OF MIDWAY CHURCH. 


Thus we perceive that up to 1830, though considerable 
advance had been made in the religious instruction of the 
colored people, still there was nothing that amounted to 
anything like a regular systematic training and instruction. 
With the next year begins the era of a special work, so suc- 
cessfully carried on and with such abundant fruits, under the 
management of that devoted servant of God, Rey. ——— 
Colcock Jones. 


ORGANIZATION OF THE ASSOCIATION. 


On the 10th of March, 1831, a number of persons interest- 
ed in the religious instruction of the negroes metin Riceboro, 
and upon consultation determined to form an association. 
A committee was appointed to prepare a report and a con- 
stitution, and Rev. C. C. Jones to deliver an address, at an- 
other meeting to be held in the same place March 28th. The 
meeting was held according to agreement, the address was 
delivered, the committee reported, and a constitution adop- 
ted, which was, in the course of a few weeks, signed by 
twenty-nine persons and the association formed. 

The association met on April 4th, of the same year, and 
proceeded to divide the district into divisions or neighbor- 
hoods, and appointed places of instruction and teachers in 
each of these districts. The teachers were to visit the plan- 
tations assigned them, in rotation every week; and these 
teachers were to meet the executive committee of the associ- 
ation every three months for prayer and conference. There 
were eight of these districts or neighborhoods, and each of 
these under the superintendence of one of the executive com- 
mittee. The plan promised well, but for want of execution, 
soon fell through. As the teachers were not ministers, they 
failed to interest the negroes and secure their attendance. 


There was at this time a society called the “Midway 


Church Missionary Society,’’ of which the executive com- 
mittee of the association were members. They offered Rey. 
C. C. Jones a commission to preach two Sabbaths in the 
month to the whites in the destitute portions of the county, 
and the other two Sabbaths and intervening days of the 


RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION OF THE NEGROES. 169 


week to the negroes. Mr. Jones accepted the position and 
commenced his work, and preached at Fraser’s plantation, 
Mt. Olivet, Pleasant Grove, and several plantations, during 
the week. After one month’s trial, feeling not fully prepared 
for this work, he accepted acall to the First Presbyterian 
church of Savannah, where he remained eighteen months. 
At the end of this time he relinquished his charge in Savan- 
nah and returned to Liberty county, and at the solicitation 
of the association, entered regularly upon his labors Decem- 
ber 2, 1832. 


HIS FIELD. 


His field embraced the fifteenth district, covering an area of 
about twenty miles square, with some one hundred planta- 
tions of all sizes, and with about four thousand negroes of 
all ages. The most of these plantations were left by the 
white people and owners in summer, during the sickly sea- 
son. Owing to the vastness of the field, the newness and 
delicacy of the work, and difficulties of the undertaking, it 
was not without many misgivings that Mr. Jones undertook 
the work. Let him tell his own feelings in the matter: 

“T commenced my labors on the 2nd of December, 1832. 
The Lord had opened the door. A great work was to be 
done, but to meit was almost entirely new. There were no 
precedents in our country to which I could look for encour- 
agement and instruction. The work was one of exceeding 
delicacy. A slight impropriety might ruin it, while on its 
success the spiritual welfare of multitudes might depend. 
The public mind was sensitive and tender. There were fears 


_ and there were objections. Some of them I had heard ex- 


pressed in no measured terms. It was urged that large as- 
semblages on the Sabbath, with no white person present 
but the missionary, would be seized upon as fit occasions for 
riot and insubordination. Soon there would be a call for 
the interference of the police of the county, and the meetings 
would be suppressed. Night meetings on plantations would 
be followed by the breaking open of houses, by thefts, by 
lewdness and carousals. So much notice of the people would 


a0 
170 HISTORY OF MIDWAY CHURCH. | 


make them presumptuous, unruly and unprofitable. They 
would be running to the missionary with tales about their 
work and treatment. Our operation was something of an 
abolition movement and something new, foreign, and un- 
necessary. It would open the door for improper teachers. — 
We were commencing a work which ultimately would tend 
to the ruin of the county. No good would come of it. The 
negroes were doing well enough. These may serve as speci- 
mens of objections.””* 

Under the prudent and proper management however, of 
Dr. Jones, these and all other fears and objections were dis- 
armed, as the sequel will show. And instead of these, the 
gospel produced just the opposite efiechs and with the most 
gratifying results. 

Dr. Jones commenced his work in a regular systematic 
way. He divided the district into six stations, viz.: Sunbu- 
ry, Pleasant Grove, Newport, Midway, Fraser’s plantation, 
and Sand Hills or Walthourville. He preached regularly, 
and in rotation every Sabbath at these places, except Sun- 
bury, where the Baptists had a church, and Walthourville, 
where the work was greatly retarded in not having a house 
of their own. His plan was also to hold plantation meet- 
ings at night during the week. Near fifty of these were re- 
turned to him, by members of the committee as open for re- 
ligious instruction. Among others, one of the rules adopted 
by him at the beginning of his work was not to visit any of 
the plantations without the permission of the owner, and to 
confine the meeting to the servants of the place, not even 
giving out these notices on Sunday orin any of the public 
assemblies. When the notice of a proposed meeting was 
sent to any planter, the matter was left entirely in his hands, 
to provide the place, and to say whether the meeting should 
be confined to his own servants or not. If he chose to in- 
vite the negroes of the surrounding plantations, wellenough. 
In this way all friction was avoided, and the fears of the 
planters were allayed. 


1. His 10th Report. 


RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION OF THE NEGROES. El 


METHODS OF WORK. 


ss 1. SABBATH SCHOOLS. 


In order to obtain a regular systematic instruction of the 
negroes, Dr. Jones found it necessary to: organize Sunday- 
schools in different parts of the field. The following were 

: the places and dates of organization: 
< 1. Fraser’s Station.. August 18, 1833, with about fifty 

children. Relinquished after a year’s time for the want of a 
suitable building, the house used being needed by the return 
of the white family. 

2. Pleasant Grove. January 12, 1834, organized and con- 

~ ducted by Mr. Barrington King and two ladies, with twen- 
ty scholars. 
8. Midway. May 11, 1834, with twenty-five scholars. 

4. Jonesville. Organized the summer of 1834, and conduc- 

bE ted by families residing there, and under the superintendence 
s of Mr. J. B. Mallard. ; 

5. Walthourville. Organized the same summer by families 
residing there. 

6. Sunbury. Organized the same summer by families there. 

7. Newport. Organized March 22, 1835, in connection 
with Rev. Samuel S. Law and Mr. Odingsell Hart, with 
forty scholars. 

8. Gravel Hill, now Flemington. Organized in thesummer 
of 1835, by Messrs. John ard Ezra Stacy, W. E.Quarterman 
and others. 

Making, in the eight schools within the bounds of the 
field, twenty-five teachers and two hundred and fifty schol- 
ars. Ofthese schools only Midway, Sunbury, Pleasant 
Grove, and Newport continued through the year. Those of 
Walthourville, Jonesville, and Flemington were discontinued 
in the winter, as so many of the families left for their plan- 
E tation homes during the winter months; and for the addi- 
tional reason that there were services at Midway every Sab- 
bath during the winter, which so many desired to attend. 

These schools were only for oral instruction. A schoolhad 


17,2 HISTORY OF MIDWAY CHURCH. 


been established at Sunbury in-1816, to teach the negroes to 
read,! but had been discontinued, it being contrary to the 
laws of the state.” 

The interest in these schools gradually increased. In 1835 
there were seven schools, thirty six teachers and four hun- 
dred and fifty scholars. The number continued for several 
years about the same, notwithstanding the absence of Dr. 


Jones, who was at the Seminary in Columbia, South Caro-— 
lina, for two years. In 1839, the report shows seven schools, 
thirty-one teachers, and four hundred and fifty-five scholars. ~ 


In 1845 we find there were nine’schools, thirty-four teachers, 
and six hundred and forty-seven scholars, which continued 
about the same number, with perhaps a small advance, un- 
til the time of Dr. Jones’ second removal to the Seminary in 
the fall of 1848. After his removal, the schools were still 
kept up. Wehave no means of ascertaining the statistics 
during this period, but know from personal knowledge and 
the statements of others, that the interest continued unaba- 
ted till the work was interfered with and finally suspended 
by the casualties of the war. 


2. CATECHETICAL INSTRUCTION. 


A second thing Dr. Jones saw necessary was Catechetical- 


Instruction. The colored people needed instruction and 
training as well as preaching. They were not only taught 
hymns and portions of the scriptures, but also systematic 
theology. To this end he soon saw the necessity of prepar- 


ing a catechism of scripture doctrine, which, in addition to 


the preaching, they were taught. This was a second and 
independent service after the morning discourse. 


3. INQUIRY MEETINGS. 


Another thing used was the Inquiry Meeting. He avoided 
everything like appeal to animal excitement ; discarded what 
is styled ‘‘mourners’ benches,” or calling up for prayer, or 
even giving the hand in token of a purpose to seek religion. 


1. Dr. Jones’ 10th Report, 2. Said laws passed May 10, 1770. 


a eee 


RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION OF THE NEGROES. ney, S: 


The inquiry meeting was as far in that direction as he ever 
went. In that quiet way, he would have at different times 
various numbers coming up for instruction. In 1839 there 
were as many as one hundred and twelve in attendance up- 
on those inquiry meetings during the year, and coming from 
fifty different plantations. 


4. WATCHMEN. 


In a work so extensive, having an area of twenty-five by 
fifteen miles, it was necessary that a missionary should have 
help. At an early date, even asearly as 1811, thechurch fell up- 
on the plan of having, in addition to colored ministers, what 
was commonly known as watchmen. The most pious and 
trustworthy colored men would be selected and set apart 
for the purpose of being leaders to the others, to watch the 
others, to report cases of seriousness, as well as cases need- 


ing discipline; and would recommend those whom they 


thought prepared to enter the communion. There were 
quite a number of these scattered among the different plan- 
tations. These watchmen would also conduct plantation 
meetings during the week, attend burials, and in some cases, 
authorized by the church to solemnize marriages among the 
colored people. Dr. Jones found it profitable to hold month 
ly conferences with them, known as watchmen’s meeting. 


5. COMMITTEE OF INSTRUCTION. 


Then, in addition to these, it was found necessary also to 
have ‘“‘committees of instruction,” of which mention has al- 
ready been made. These were intelligent, pious, and influ- 
ential male (white) members residing in different parts. of 
the district, to whom the colored people were required to go 
for instruction, and by whom they were to be recommended 
to the church Session for membership, and without which 
no application would be considered. JI remember when a 
boy, often sitting by and hearing my father talk to those 
who would come to him for instruction, as he was one of 
the committee for the Flemington retreat. 


174 HISTORY OF MIDWAY CHURCH. 


6. PLANTATION MEETINGS. 
In addition to the regular Sabbath services, Dr. Jones held 


plantation meetings in the week at nights. These were held 


at different plantations, some times as many as fifty, usually 
under the superintendency of the owner, if a christian. In 
these meetings the watchmen took active and leading part, 
especially in the absence of the missionary, and at points he 
could not reach. The system of evening prayers on different 
plantations, commenced as early as the ministry of Mr. 
Holmes, was kept up, and conducted usually by one of these 
watchmen. 


CO-LABORERS. 


As the work advanced, the necessity for ministerial labor- 
ers likewise increased. Dr. Jones gladly welcomed as co- 
laborers in the field, Rev. S. S. Law, and Rev. JosiahS. Law, 
of the Baptist church, who preached at Sunbury and North 
Newport, and afterwards at Hutchinson; and also Rev. Au- 
gustus O. Bacon, a pious and promising young minister, of 
the same church, who preached at Newport for a short time, 
and whose untimely death was so much regretted. Dr. Ax- 
son also for several summers delivered weekly lectures to the 
negroes at Jonesville, where he resided. 

After the removal of Dr. Jones to Columbia Seminary, 
the field was occupied by Rev. Josiah S. Law until his death, 
October 5, 1853; afterwards by Rev. John Winn, who la. 
bored from 1851 to 1857; then by Rev. R. Q. Way from 
1859 to 1866; and lastly, by Rev. R. Q. Andrews, during 
the year 1867, till the removal of Dr. Buttolph and the vir- 
tual dissolution of the old church, all of whom were em- 
ployed by the executors of Lambert’s estate, as missionaries 
to the colored people. 


RESULTS. 


As the result of the labors of Dr. Jones and hisco-adjutors, 
multitudes of the colored people were brought into the 
churches. From the records of the Midway church, I have 


RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION OF THE NEGROES. ayes 


gathered 1,238 names of colored people received into that 
church during its entire existence, though I have reason to 
believe that these figures fall short of the truth. It is a sig- 
nificant fact, however, that of this number, 677, more than 
half, were added after Dr. Jones commenced his labors 
among them. 

The following is his estimate in 1846, of the colored mem- 
bership of the different churches in the district: 

Midway, Congregational, 377. Pleasant Grove, Presby- 
terian, 31; Methodist, 21. Sunbury, Baptist, 161. New- 
port, Baptist, 543. Total, 1,133, which was nearly one- 
fourth of the whole negro population of the district at that 
time, according to the tax returns there being 4,212. 

And this estimate grows upon us, when we remember 
that the increase of membership was much more rapid after 
this, as the records show an addition of more than five hun- 
dred members to Midway alone, from this time till the dis- 
solution of the church, twenty-one years afterwards. 

So we feel safe in saying that at the time of the dissolution 
there were not less than seven hundred colored members of 
the Midway church, with fully as many, and even more, in 
connection with the other churches, making a totalof about 
fifteen hundred, out of a population of over four thousand 
colored people, being nearly one-third of the whole. 

In addition to the large accessions to the different church- 
es, the improvement in the morals of the negroes became 
marked. There were very few cases of crime or disorders of 
any sort, few if any runaways, as at first, when in one sea- 
son there were as many as fifteen in the district. The patrol 
system, in a great measure, fellinto disuse, there being no 
regular organized and active patrol in the whole district; 
and this the more remarkable as out of the one hundred 
and twenty-five plantations, there were only twenty-four 
upon which the owners resided permanently all the year 
round, forty-one upon which they remained half of the year, 
and sixty upon which no white persons resided at all during 
any part of the year, being only visited by the owners or 
overseers in the day. That the race was greatly benefitted 


176 HISTORY OF MIDWAY CHURCH. — 


and elevated by these efforts in their behalf was admitted 
on all sides. . 

As bearing directly upon this point, I here give the follow- 
ing extract from the address of Rev. Robert Quarterman, 


delivered before the association, at their annual meeting, 


January, 1844: 


“Contrasting the present state of things with ten years 
ago, we are constrained to ask, ‘What hath God wrought?’ ~ 


That there has been great and manifest improvement, is ey- 
ident to every one, even the casual observer. Drunkenness, 
theft, falsehood, profaneness, and even lewdness, (that hith- 
erto crying sin among them) though not wholly banished, 
do now exist to a very limited extent,in comparison to what 


they formerly did. In external appearance, too, we rarely 


behold that filthy and disgusting squalidness, that utter in- 
difference to even common decencies of life, which so gener- 


ally prevailed in former times. There is also a greater re-. 


gard to the duties and obligations involved in the Various 


relations of civil and social life; those obligations are better 


understood, and those duties are better performed. Indeed 
they are in all respects a more decent, orderly, and morally 
respectable people. Their tone of character, in a civil, so- 
cial, and religious sense is evidently elevated and improved.” 

Not only were the colored people of the county directly 
benefitted, but a deep and wide-spread interest was awak- 


ened in their behalf throughout the whole country, north, 


east, south, and west. Nothing contributed more to this 
general interest than the extensive correspondence of Dr. 
Jones, as well as the publication of his annual addresses be- 
fore the association at their annual meetings at Riceboro, 
which were scattered far and wide; and also of hiscatechism 
and other writings upon the subject, which were used in other 
places, the catechism being translated into Chinese and oth- 
er languages, and used by missionaries. _His extensive cor- 
respondence, and the wide and general circulation of his 
writings on the subject soon made him the recognized leader 
of the whole movement, and Liberty county again became 
celebrated for taking the lead in the great work of instruct- 
ing and elevating the negro race. 


RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION OF THE NEGROES. a TAT ( 


Dr. Jones wrote the report of the committee to whom the 
subject of the religious instruction of the negroes was sub- 
mitted, and who presented the same to the Synod of South 
Carolina and Georgia at their sitting at Columbia, South 
Carolina, December 5-9, 1833. 

At a meeting called by twenty-four leading citizens of 
Charleston and South Carolina to consider the religious 


_condition of the negroes, and which met at Charleston, May 


13-15, 1845, a committee of five were appointed to collate 
and prepare an address, from the reports and papers received 
by that convention, and after approval by a publishing 
committee of ten, to publish the same. Dr. Jones prepared 
the report and also superintended its publication. 

He also prepared a volume published by the Presbyterian 
Board of Publication, on religious instruction of the negroes. 

At the organization of the Southern Presbyterian church 
at Augusta, December, 1861, Dr. Jones was present, and 
though too feeble to stand, delivered from his seat upon the 
platform a stirring address on the claims of the colored peo- 
ple and duty of the church to them. The writer was present 
and heard the same. It may safely be said that no man has 
ever done more for the colored race of this country than 
he. No man was ever more beloved and appreciated by that 
people, his name being mentioned with reverence to this day. 
His labots extended from December, 1832, when he com- 
menced regular work among them, till the close of December, 
1847, when called a second time to the Seminary at Colum- 
bia, South Carolina, (thirteen years). And even during the 
years 1837-8, when at Columbia for the first time, he would 
spend his three months’ summer vacation at his home 
in Liberty county preaching to this people. And for all this 
labor he received but a small contribution from the estate of 
Lambert, and that for only a part of his time. Being blessed 
with means, he entered the field at his own charges. He 
continued to render this gratuitous service for seven entire 
years, till 1841, when the executors of said estate made an 
appropriation of $400, which amount they afterwards con- 
tributed annually until his removal. Dr. Jones has well 
been styled by Dr. Mallard, in his ‘“‘Plantation Life,’’ as the 
““apostle to the colored people.”’ 


178 HISTORY OF MIDWAY CHURCH. 


REMARKS. 


Concerning this work among the colored people, I offer 


the following remarks: i 
1. It was effected under a variety of agencies. The mis- 


sionary, Dr. Jones, was Presbyterian, and yet the church, in ~ 


the bosom ot which the work was conducted, was Congre-— 


gational, the teachers generally being members of it. The — 


association, directly charged. with the management of it, 


was undenominational, members of other churches connect- 


ed with it, Baptists being officers as well as.others. No ef- 
fort was made to induce the colored people to join Midway, 
it being left to their own free will. Many joined the Baptist 
churches at Sunbury and Newport. ' The different ministers 
employed with and aiter Dr. Jones, viz.: Rev. Josiah S$. Law, 
| Rev. John Winn, Rev. R. Q. Way, and Rey. R. Q. Andrews, 
were all supported, as already stated, by the estate of Lam- 


bert, the church not paying a single cent. Soit seems that 


Presbyterians, Baptists, Methodists members of Midway 
church, and the estate of Lambert, all contributed, more or 
less, in connection with the labors of Dr. Jones, te the grand 
result. <4 


2. The colored people were never set off in a separate 


cnurch organization. The policy was always to keep them 
in connection with the whites. They had quite a number of 
preaching places where suitable houses were erected for wor- 
ship, as at Midway, Pleasant Grove, and afterwards at 
Hutchinson (now MeIntosh), yet no separate organization. 
A small Presbyterian church was organized at Pleasaut 
Grove in 1843, the building being put up in 1841, and ded- 
icated December 12th of the same year, but was more for 
the accommodation of the whites in the neighborhood than 
the colored people. It never had more than thirty mem- 
bers, and was reported to the Sj nod of Georgia in 1866 as 


dissolved. Indeed, the colored members have always been: 
partial to Midway, accommodations being made for them 


in the gallery on three sides;! also to their own structure 


1. This explains the aa number of windows in the upper story of ‘the Shrires 
building as appears in the cut 


=i RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION OF THE NEGROES. 179 


near by on the church grounds. They were all publicly re- 
ceived, as the whites, before the entire congregation, and 
communed together, the whites below and the colored peo- 
ple in the gallery. I know of nothing more interesting than 
to insert just here a picture of one of these communion 
scenes, as sketched by the facile pen of Dr. Mallard and ta- 
ken from his ‘Plantation Life.’’ 


“SACRAMENT SUNDAY IN MIDWAY CHURCH.”’ 


“It was a great day with both white and black, and an- 
- ticipated with joy by the pious , and interest by all. There 
was a peculiar quiet about the morning of the sacred day 
on tne plantation. All the sounds of the busy week have 
ceased ; the noisy rattle of the chain of the horse gin issilent, 
the flails in the barnyard are still; few loud calls are heard 
about the quarters; the negroes are seen sitting on the sun- 
ny side of their houses, mothers with their children’s heads 
in their laps, carrying on in public an operation better suited 
for in-door privacy; no sounds are heard but the lowing of 
the cattle, the whinnying of the horses, the crowing of the 
cocks and cackling of the hens; the gobbling of the turkeys; 
the shrill cries of the geese; the winds appear to be asleep, 
and the very sunshine seems to fall more gently than: during 
the week upon the widely extended fields and surrounding 
woods! 

“Our honored father, a deacon of the church, sits by the 
window, and with a knife carefully sharpened the day before 
divides upon a clean white board the wheaten loaves into 
little cubes of bread, and the ‘‘elements,’’ as they are called, 
together with the genuine silver goblets and silver tankards 
and silver baskets, previously polished by the deft hands of 
the house girl, with the little contribution boxes for the of- 
fering in aid of the poor, are all safely packed away in a 
wide basket. 

“Prayers and breakfast over, the family dress for church; 
and now the order is sent out to the stable boys and the 
carriage driver to ‘harness up;’’ and directly the high- 
pitched carriage, with its lofty driver’s seat and swinging 


. between its ‘‘C’’ springs, and the two-wheeled ‘“‘top- caren 
the saddle horses are brought around to the front gate; and 


although it is scarcely more than nine o’clock, and the dis- 


tance ‘‘a short mile,” the entire family, as was the custom, 
ride to church. As we roll along the broad highway, we 
find the servants clean and neatly dressed and in their best, 
some on foot and others in Jersey wagons, crowded to their 
utmost cana with little and big, and drawn by ‘‘Marsh 
Tackey’s,’’ equal in bottom and strength to, and no larger 
than, Texas ponies—all moving in the same direction; those 
on foot carrying their shoes and stockings in their hands, to 
be resumed after they shal! have washed in the waters at 
the causeway near the church; for they believe in treading 
the Lord’s courts with clean feet ! Many are the kind greet- 
ings and mutual inquiries after the health of each other and 
of their families, exchanged by whites and blacks. 

We are among the first to arrive, but every moment we 
hear the thunder of vehicles rolling across the half dozen 
bridges of the swamp causeway near at hand, and the 
neighing of horses; and here come the multitude, from dis-_ 
tances of from one to ten miles and more. Horses are un- 
harnessed and secured, and the worshippers fill the small 
houses surrounding the church, or stand in the sunshine, or 
saunter about the grounds, or visit the graveyard.” © 

Under my father’s superintendence, the long narrow red- 
painted tables and benches are brought out from the vestry 
and carried into the church, and arranged in the aisle before 
the pulpit. The church building, 40x60 feet in size, is very 
ancient; it was built in 1792; itis the successor of one de 
stroyed by the British, and of a plainer and coarser, put up 
after the Revolution. It is of wood, originally painted red, 
the old color showing beneath the later white, and is sur-_ 
mounted by a spire, with open belfry and a weather vane, - 
which used to puzzle our child brains to ascertain what it 
was intended to represent. It has five entrances, two of 
which admit to the gallery. Passing in by the door, open- 
ing upon the graveyard, and near which was our family 
pew, we look up a broad aisle to the pulpit, which, small 
_ and closely. walled in, soars aloft toward the ceiling, and is 


x 


q 


‘ 
q 


‘ 
{ 


z. 


RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION OF THE NEGROES. 181 


surmounted by a sounding board, like a gigantic candle ex- 


tinguisher, supported by an iron rod, the possible breaking 
of which often atoused our infantile speculations as to what, 
in that event, would become of the preacher! It was reached 
by a lofty stairway running up in front. At right angles to 
our aisles runs another as broad, connecting the two other 
doors. Aisles run around the sides of the audience room, 


_- and the pews are so arranged that everybody seems to be 


facing everybody else! A wide gallery extends around three 
sides, resounding often with the creaking of new brogans, 


which the black wearers were not at all disposed to suppress. 


The communion table and benches reach the entire length of 


__ the broad aisle to the pulpit; the whole covered with the 
' whitest and finest of linen (our mother’s special care). A 


cloth of the same kind conceals from view at its head the sa- 
cred symbols of our Lord’s atoning death. There is above 
a single row of sashed windows, out of reach, and transoms 
over the solid shutters of the windows below; but not a 


- sign of a stove in the church, although the air sometimes is 


frosty, and the shut up atmosphere occasionally of the tem- 
perature of the vaults in the cemetery hard by. And brides 
jn the olden time, in mid-winter, came to these services clad 
in muslin, with only the protection of a shawl, and in paper- 
soled slippers, laced up the ankles. Why there never 
was any way of warming the church I never knew, nor heard 
explained. Doubtless some caught their death of the cold, 
which often made us children shiver and long for the bene- 
diction which would dismiss us to the sunny sides of the 
houses without or to their fires within. It was not, how- 
ever, ordinary bitterly cold, for the winters were for the 
most part mild. 

Allthings having been prepared, there is a halfhout’s 
prayer-meeting, attended by such worshippers as have ar- 
rived early. 

“At eleven o’clock the regular communion service begins, 
with an invocation from one of the pastors; for we always 
had two. An earnest, well written, often eloquent, always 


‘solemn, sermon is preached from a manuscript, either by the 


venerable Rev. Robert Quarterman, long since gone to his 


182 HISTORY OF MIDWAY CHURCH. 


reward, or his young and handsome coadjutor,' Rev. I. S. K. 
Axson, now living in Georgia, a feeble old man; the long list™ 
of names of members received at a meeting of Session two 
_weeks before, and ‘propounded’ the Sunday preceding, is 
read again, and white and black candidates advance to- 
gether, the last marshalled by the colored preacher, Toney 
Stevens, a slave. The candidates for baptism kneel and re- 
- ceive from the marble front, at which all, white and black, 
infant and adult, are baptized, the sacred sign of God’scove- 
nant love. The new members dismissed to their seats, one 
of the pastors gives out the hymn of institution (none other 
was ever sung), ‘Twas on that dark, that doleful night;’ 
during the singing of it the communicants fill the seats at 
the long tables and adjacent pews; the non-professors among 
the blacks have not been admitted to the galleries above, as 
there is not room. After the consecrating prayer, a tender 
address is made, and first the bread is distributed in thesame 
silver baskets and at the same time, to allthecommunicants, 
white and black, below and above; another address, and the 
wine is passed around by the deacons, my venerated sire one 
of them. The number of black communicants is solarge, that 
Toney Stevens comes down from the gallery to replenish the 
gold-lined silver goblets from the basket of wine in bottles 
near the pulpit; and as the wine is poured out, its gurgling 
in the solemn silence smites distinctly upon our young ears, 
and the whole house is filled with the aroma of the pure im- 
ported Madeira. Communicants overlooked in the distribu- 
tion of the ‘‘elements’’ are asked to signify the fact by rais- 
ing the right hand; and if any have been passed by (which 
never occurred), they will be waited. upon. We children, 
awed and almost frightened spectators, look on from our 
pews upon the solemnities, which suggest sad thoughts of 
a possible separation which the judgment may, like the com- 
munion table, make between us and our beloved parents! 
_ A prayer, doxology and benediction close the solemn and 
impressive service—solemn and impressiveit seems to me upon 
the review, as nowhere else. 


1. Since deceased. 


“+ 


PE aati ed hd 
. : 


RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION OF THE NEGROES. 183 


We refresh ourselves in the hour’s intermission from the 
abundant ‘‘cold snacks,’’ we called them, or lunches; sun 
ourselves, walk down the road or in the graveyard. Im- 
mediately at the close of the communion service a great vol- 
ume of musical sound, mellow by the distance, comes up from 
the African church, in the edge of the forest, where godly 
Toney Stevens, the carpenter, is about to hold forth to his 
dusky charge. I have heard more artistic singing, but never 


_ heartier or more worshipful elswhere. 


But the bell, whose iron tongue, to our young imagina- 


tions, was endowed literally with speech, is saying, ‘‘Come 


along! come along!’’ Another sermon is preached, and 
horses are found harnessed and vehicles ready, and the 
mighty congregation disperse to their several homes. The 
sun is low in the western horizon when we arrive at our 
plantation home and sit down to a late dinner. Sunday 
clothes are folded up and put away, and the easier fitting 


every-day garments and old shoes are, to our immense relief, 


once more put on. A Sunday-school for the young people of 
the plantation, conducted in a spare room of our house by 
one of my sisters, in which hymns are memorized and sung, 
and Dr. C. C. Jones’ Catechism taught, closes the public reli- 
gious services of the day. After supper and prayers, tired, 
we all retire to our early couches; but refreshed by the rest, 
duties and worship of God’s hallowed day, and ready on the 
morrow to take up with new courage and energy the tasks 
and burdens of secular life. ' 

“Such is a picture of a ‘Sacrament Sunday i in old Midway,’ 
as it comes back to me, like ‘memories of joys that are de- 
parted, pleasant but mournful to the soul.” 

8. The next thing to be noted and worthy of the deepest 
emphasis, is the entire absence of all excitement ‘in the con- 
duct of the meetings. Asinthecase of the white people, 
there was no resorting to “‘anxious seats” or ‘‘calling up for 
prayer,” or giving the hand in token of a purpose to reform. 
Dr. Jones was opposed to all such extraneous means. ‘‘As 
an individual minister,’’ said he, ‘‘I have never resorted to 
these things, and with my present views and feelings, never 
will.”’ He depended entirely upon the earnest preaching of 


184 HISTORY OF MIDWAY CHURCH. 


the word. And what was remarkable, too, the colored peo- 


ple, like the whites, generally liked the use of themanuscript, 
and seemed rather to prefer that method of delivery. As one 


of them said that at first they could not understand thegos- 
pel when preached to the whites, but now he believed the 


minister did better ‘‘when they put down their copy,” that 
is, when using the manuscript. 

Dr. Jones’ plan was, first to have a short prajeesmeeieaen 
‘after which a sermon at eleven o’clock; then recess, after 
which Sabbath school, at the close of which an inquiry 
meeting; then a second sermon, the people, both white and 
black, being used to two sermons before leaving the church, 
and no night service. 


4. THE GREAT REVIVAL. 


As the result of this regular quiet way of instruction, there 


was a deep work of grace, which continued for fouryears, 


1838-1842. For these four years deep seriousness pre- 
vailed. Always a number at the inquiry meetings, resulting 
in quite a large accession to the church. The interest frst 
started with the colored people andj extended to the whites. 
In a subsequent chapter the reader will find a most interest- 
ing description of the revival among the whites at that time, 
from the pen of Rev. Thomas S. Wina. 

5. Permanency of the work. Tne influence of the eone 
performed by Dr. Jones may be still seen and felt. The por- 
tion of the district that is controlled by the regular descend= 
ants of the old church still exhibit, though the inhabitants 
have been largely changed, the characteristics of their fore- 
fathers, there being very few acts of open and flagrant deeds 
of violence. There have been oflate frequent homicides and dis- 
turbances, and the jail filled with colored inmates, (a thing 
unknown in slavery times) but these were chiefly the work of 


the imported people, coming in from a distance, and largely 
owing to the opening up of the turpentine farms. The old — 


and regular descendants of the old stock are a peaceable and 
law abiding people, and still exhibit the impress of the train- 
ing they received from Dr. Jones and his coadjutors. 


~ 


Ein 
rks, 
ta 


- RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION OF THE NEGROES. 185 


She ee CHURCHES FORMED. 


But the best evidence of the permanent nature of the good 
work done among the colored people, lies in the number of 
churches that have resulted from that work. These are as 


follows: 

- 1. MEDWAY CHURCH. 

2 The disasters of the war left everything in a perturbed and 
= disjointed condition. After the removal of Dr. Buttolph in 
. “ “1867, the colored people, as well as the whites, were left as 
4 sheep without a shepherd. During this year Rev. Joseph 
i Williams, a former slave, and ordained as a missionary by 
___ the Hopewell Presbytery, visited the county. He was one 
__ of the three ordained by said Presbytery and commissioned 
___ by them ‘‘to preach to people of their own color.”” His or- 
dination was on this wise: 

B At a meeting of Hopewell Presbytery at Athens, April 18, 


1866, an overture was sent up from the colored members of 
x the Macon church, asking to be set off into a separate or- 
c ganization. The request was granted, and Presbytery ‘‘re- 
solved to hold an adjourned metting at Macon May 10th, 
to set apart, ifthe way be clear, Joseph Williams, Robert 
: Carter, and David Laney, colored members of Macon church, 
as colored Presbyterian ministers, with powers to preach 
: the gospel, administer the sacraments, solemnize marriage, 
-_ ordain ruling elders and deacons, all among colored people, 
etc., provided that these men shall be regarded as ordained 
‘ministers in the Presbyterian church only among their own 
5 color.’”? 

: Accordingly, at the time and place appointed the Presbytery 
: met and after satisfactory examinations on Theology, per- 
si sonal piety, and motives in seeking the ministry, ordained 
E 
3 


these three men as colored Presbyterian ministers, to preach 
only to people of their own color. Whence this authority to 
make the color line the basis of ordination, I am unable to 
say. I must leave it entirely with the members of the Pres- 
bytery to answer. 


1. See minutes of Hopewell Presbytery. 


SEU eco ee eg erat 


ky 


be x 


Sin leremaa HISTORY OF MIDWAY CHURCH. 


On a call from the colored church at Macon, David Laney 
was installed as their pastor. With regard to the other two 
men, Presbytery ‘* Resolved, That the pastors of the white 
and colored churches at Macon be requested to co-operate 
in devising a plan for sending forth at the earliest practica- — 
ble day, Rev. Joseph Williams and Rev. Robert Carter for 
such missionary work within the bounds of this Synod, as 
may be deemed best calculated to advance thecause of Christ 
among the colored people. 

Under this commission the said Williams visited Liberty aa 
county in 1867, and after preaching awhile and gathering . ~ 
together as many of the colored, people as he could, organ- 
ized them, the next year (1868) in the old Midway building fy 
which had been turned over to them, into a Presbyterian = 
church, with a membership of about three hundred. Some 
time afterwards, himself and the church, known as Medway, 
became attached to Knox Presbytery of the Northern church. 

For seven years the church prospered and increased under — 
the ministry of Mr. Williams, until it reached a membership 
of six hundred, with fifteen elders and as many deacons. 

In 1874 there sprang up an unfortunate controversy be- 

' tween himself and his people, and some so-called agents of 
the ‘‘American Missionary Association’’ of New York, who 
claimed for themselves and adherents, as the successors of 
the old church, the building with its appurtenances and 
franchises. 

In this controversy ‘‘Uncle Joe Williams,” as he was famil- 
iarly called, felt that the opposition was too strong for him, 
single handed and alone, and therefore invited Rev. J. T. H. 

Waite, a white minister, a graduate of Columbia Seminary 
in the class of 1852, to come to his assistance. Mr. Waite 
responded to the call and ably and successfully assisted in 
resisting the intrusion and establishing the rightful claim of 
Williams and his party; after which he remained, and the 
two continued for a long time as colleagues and co-pastors, 
until the retiracy of Mr. Williams, thus leaving Mr. Waite 
in full-possession of the field. 

Mr. Waite is still pastor of the church and has been for 
twenty-five years. The present membership is five hundred 


- the old Midway building until 1895, when they erected one 
_— of their own, about three hundred yards north of the old 
one and on the east side of the road. The building is neat 
and commodious and was dedicated on Sunday, December 
- 29, 1895. 


2. RICEBORO CHURCH. 


This church, located at Riceboro, and five miles from Med- 
way, was originally the remnants of the Pleasant Grove 
_ church and congregation, gathered by Dr. Jones during his 
_ lifetime, and which was dissolved by the Georgia Presbytery 
in 1866. Rey. Joseph Williams reorganized them into a 
Presbyterian church in 1868, and supplied them for a num- 
ber of years. In 1880, the church was moved to Riceboro 
_ . and anew building erected, with the help of the Board of 
Church Erection. They have had for ministers Rev. Geo. T. 
Jennings, ani later Rev. B. L. Glenn, and have now Rev. 
_ Simon F- Fraser, a former deacon of Medway church. Their 
membership is one hundred and forty-six. 


3. THE GROVE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. 


‘This church, located three and a half miles west of Med- 

- way on the McIntosh road, was a colony, ormorecorrectly, 
a secession from the Medway church. I have already allu- 
ded to a controversy between the Rev. Joseph Williams 
and the so-called agents of the American Missionary Asso- 
____ ciation over the church property. In this controversy, the 
a Opposition was led by Rey. Floyd Snelson, a native of Sum- 
_ ‘ter county, and who had been a student at Atlanta Univer- 
sity, and ordained as a congregational minister. He, with 
others, appeared as the agents of said Association, though 
_ without their knowledge or consent as was afterwards 
-_ shown,! and claimed the congregation and building and 
property of the old church, in behalf of himself and adher- 
‘ents, as the true successors and representatives of the Con- 


aie ee 
, EAS 


Rea” 


1. Ms. letter of Rev. J. T. H. Waite. 


188 HISTORY OF MIDWAY CHURCH. 
gregational church, as the old church had become Presbyte- _ 
rian and thereby had forfeited ail their rights in the premises. ee 
As the title to the property was clearly vested in the right- 
holders, the worthlessness of the claim was soon apparent 
and the attempt abandoned, not however, until after con- 
siderable controversy and discussion, resulting in the with- 
drawal of about seventy of the members of the Medway 
church, and who organized themselves in May of the same - 
year (1874) into a Congregational church with the said 
Snelson as their pastor. 

Soon after the organization of the church, a school was 
established, which may be considered a continuation of that 
organized in 1871 and kept up for two years by Miss Ward, 
of Massachusetts, but which had now been disbanded for 
about two years. The school thus established, was at first 
small and unpretending, but later on assumed larger pro- 2 
portions. Through earnest and patriotic appeals made to we 
northern friends, based upon the idea that this church and 
congregation were the regular successors of the old historic 
church, large and liberal contributions were secured, with . 
which not only a neat and commodious church edifice was : 
erected, but also an imposing school building put up with a ~ 
boarding and industrial department, with accommodation — 
for about five hundred pupils. The institution is known as 
the ‘‘Dorchester Academy,” and is under the management _ 
and control of the aforesaid ‘‘American Missionary Associ- — 
ation,”’ by which it was also established and is supported. 

The teachers are white and eleven in number, with Prof. 

Fred W. Foster at their head. It is largely patronized by 

the colored people and has done, and is still doing a great 

deal for their uplifting. The catalogue of last year shows 

four hundred and fifty-four pupils in attendance. It was, 
however, strange to say, under the very shadow of this in- 
stitution and in the very bosom of this congregation, that 

arose in 1889, that remarkable delusion, known as the 
“Christ craze,’’ which so greatly tarnished the fair name of 

the county, and which, like a voleano in the sea, shook the 
community, and for a time threatened to overwhelm the 
whole with a disastrous upheaval. Of this craze I shall 
speak hereafter. 


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Pas, ihe | 
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RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION OF THE NEGROES. 189 


As the result of later dissension and discord under the pas- 
torate of Rev. F. R. Sims, quite a number withdrew and or- 
ganized themselves into a second church with the said Sims 


as their pastor, and erected a second building within sight 


ofthe other. This church and congregation have since con- 


~ nected themselves with the African Methodist church. 


4. EBENEZER CHURCH. 


This church, first called Ebenezer, then Williams’ Chapel, 
and afterwards Ebenezer 2d, because of another church of 
the same name in the Presbytery, wasa colony from Med- 
way church and is located three miles northeast from the 
same on the public road to Savannah. It was organized 
about 1887 with forty members, by Rev. Joseph Williams, 
who served them for awhile. In 1889 they weresupplied by 
Rev. B. L. Glenn and afterwards and since by Rev. Luther 
Hubbard. It was here the Rev. Joseph Williams spent the 
remnant of his days. It was here he died Nov. 22, 1889, 
and it is here his remains lie buried. He was a man of char- 
acter and considerable native talent, and was greatly re- 
spected by all who knew him, both white and colored. 

The present membership of the church is ninety-four. 


5. ST. STEPHEN CHURCH. 


This is a small Presbyterian church, located near the Wal- 
thourville station, and organized in 1895, by Rev. H. B. 
Wilson. It has only sixteen members and issupplied by Rev. 
Luther Hubbard. 


JOHN LAMBERT. 


In giving an account of the benevolence of Midway church, 
as well as the work among the colored people, it is eminent- 


: _ly proper that special mention be made of Mr. John Lam- 


bert as the conduct and success of that work depended so 
largely upon the benefactions of his estate. Concerning the 
parentage and early history of Mr. Lambert, we know 
nothing. He seems to have been a waif, picked up, as tra- 


190 HISTORY OF MIDWAY CHURCH. | 


dition vouches, under a bridge on Lambert’s causeway, 
South Carolina, hence the name Lambert. The same tradi-— 
tion affirms that he was raised by an aged couple, who gave 
him a pair of chickens from which business when a child, and 
upon which he reared his after fortune. All I have been able 
to find out about his manhood is, that he first planted with 
Rev. Archibald Simpson, of South Carolina, and afterwards 
managed his business for him. Hence he left in his will to 
‘this good friend, the Rev. Archibald Simpson, his two new 
negroes in Carolina, and also the little stock of cattle left on 
his place, amounting to six or éight head.’’ After the war 
of the Revolution he removed to Liberty county in the year 
1784, where he lived till his death December 28, 1786. Al- 
though the Record does not mention the fact, the evidence 
all goes to show that he was a member of Midway church. 
As evidence of his attachment to the church, we need only 
mention the fact that he left toitin his will a Silver Tan- 
kard and two Communion Cups. 

That he was a pious as well as benevolent man, appears — 
from the fact that he also left in his will fifty pounds ster-— 
ling to each of his old Carolina ministers, Rev. Mr. Hender- 
son and Rev. Mr. Gourlay, as well as the interest he felt in 
the religious condition of his negroes, his plantation being 
one of the first opened for the religious services of the col- 
ored people; and also the clause in his will expressing the © 
wish, that in addition to good treatment, ‘‘the minister for 
the time being should visit them occasionally and give them 
some spiritual advice.” Being without any family or known 
heirs, he left his estate in the hands of executors to be used 
for charitable purposes, as appears from the following clause: 

‘‘My will and desire is that my estate be kept together, 
and the yearly income be applied to any religious or good 
purpose, at the discretion of my executors and trustees, ei- 
ther for the support of the gospel in back parts of this state, 
for the relief of the poor and distressed, or wherever any 
pious and good purpose may be answered in the church of 
Midway, or any other that may be erected; for the carrying 
on and assisting the intended academy in Sunbury or pro- 
moting of any public schools or Seminary of learning.”’ 


WILL OF JOHN LAMBERT. Nie ab 


According to his will the farm was kept up until 1838, , 
when the whole estate was sold and the amount, about 
$40,000, reinvested in other securities, and the income, as 


4 heretofore, applied for charitable and pious uses. This 
# amount at seven per cent would yield an annual sum of $2,- 
ca 800 for purposes aforesaid. And who can tell the vast deal 


3 of good that has been thus done. These charities have been 
BS scattered over the land. Many a widow’s heart has been 

made to rejoice. Many a poor struggling young man has 
‘been enabled to complete his education. Many a feeble 
he church has been assisted in obtaining a supply of a gospel 
ministry. Like everything else, this estate lost heavily by 
the disasters of the late war. Since then azid at present, the 
estate is worth only about $15,000. But though reduced 
more than one-half, it still continues its course of usefulness, 
and without further reverses will continue to be a fountain 
of blessing for years to come, 


WILL OF JOHN LAMBERT. 


STATE OF GEORGIA. 
In the name of God, Amen. 
The 29th day of September, in the year of our Lord, 1785, 
and of the sovereign Independence of America, the tenth, I, 
John Lambert, of Liberty county. and state aforesaid, plan- 
ter, being infirm in body but (blessed be God) of sound and 
disposing mind and memory, considering the uncertainty of 
life and the certainty of death, do therefore make and or- 
dain this my last will and testament and hereby revoke and 
cancel all former and other wills and testaments by me, at 
3 any time heretofore made or declared, and do allow of and 
4 confirm this and no other, to be my last will and testament. 
Principally I commend my immortal spirit into the hands 
of God, who gave it, in and through the merits and media- 
tion of Jesus Christ, my blessed Savior and Redeemer, on 
whom I rely for the pardon and forgiveness of all my sins 
Ms and offenses and for eternal life and salvation; and my body 
at death to be interred in a decent and Christian manner at 
the discretion of my executors, hereafter named. 


192 HISTORY OF MIDWAY CHURCH. 


First, I will and desire that all my just debts and funeral 
expenses shall be duly paid and discharged. 

Item. I give and bequeath unto the Rev. Mr. Gourlay and 
also to the Rev. Mr. Henderson, of South Carolina, the sum 
of sixty pounds sterling, to be paid to each of them as soon 
as it can be conveniently raised from the income of my es- 
tate, to them and their heirs forever. 

I give unto Mr. Joseph Dannom my silver watch. 

My will and desire. is that Mr. Joseph Bee’s bond due me, 
be given up to him and cancelled, and also, Mr. James 
O’Hear’s note due me, the same. 

Item. I give and bequeath to the chu and society of 
Midway, to be bought, as soon as may be, one silver Tan- 
kard and two Communion Cups, for the use of said church. 

Item. I give and bequeath unto my friend, the Rev. Arch- 
ibald Simpson, my two new negro men, that are in Caroli- . 
na, he paying the expense attending the getting of them, 
having had late advice from Mr. Penman respecting them. 
Also I give unto the said Archibald Simpson my little stock — 
of cattle I left on his plantation, consisting of six or eight 
head, more or less, to him and his heirs forever. 

My will and desire is that my estate be kept together, and 
the yearly income be applied to any religious or good — 
purpose at the discretion of my executors and trustees, ei- 
ther for the support of the gospel in back parts of this state, 
for the relief of the poor and distressed, or wherever any 
good pious and good purpose may be answered in thechurch 
of Midway, or any other that may be erected, for the car- 
rying on and assisting the intended academy in Sunbury, or 
promoting of any public schools or Seminary of learning; 
the bringing up of orphans, and the like. And my estate be- 
ing in debt, I leave it to the discretion of my executors to 
sell any part thereof, real or personal, for the clearing of the 
same, if it cannot be conveniently wrought out. 

My will and desire is that the fellow, Toney, be continued 
driver while he behaves well; may be allowed the privilege 
of raising a few hogs among the rest, or be found some meat, 
and something distinguishable in clothes, or a few guineas 
per annum, according to merit. And the rest of my slaves 


WILL OF JOHN LAMBERT. 193 


be treated with as much levity as may be consistent with 
reasonable service and comfortable living. My will is that 
as soon as may be, a small stock of cattle be bought and al- 
so, that if it can be admitted, they may have meat and rice 
and rum two or three times a year; and besides, good cloth- 
ing in the winter; that they also have summer clothes of 
oznaburg or the like. And I recommend that the minister 
for the time being, may visit them occasionally and give 
them some spiritual advice. 

Lastly, I here nominate, constitute and appoint my 
friends, the Rev. Abiel Holmes, John Elliott, Gideon Dowse, 
Thomas Sumner, William Quarterman, and Thomas Baker 
my executors and trustees, for the purposes within men- 
tioned ; and in case of decease or removal of any, so that 


_ they cannot or will not act, then it shall bein the power of 


the surviving, or a majority of them, to elect others; and it is 
my will that others be elected to fill up such vacancy. And 
I do hereby grant unto my said executors and trustees full 
power and authority to act and do as they shall judge will 
best conduce to answer the end and design of this my will. 
Tn witness whereof I, the said John Lambert, to this, my 
last will and testament, have set my hand and seal the day 
_and year first above written. 
JouHn LAMBERT, [L. S.] 
Signed, sealed and delivered in presence of 
: JAMES GIRARDEAU, 
Won. BAKER, 
JOHN ANDREW. 
Sworn to before Thomas Baker, Register of Probate, Lib- 
erty county, January 22, 1787. 


THE CHRIST CRAZE. 


In writing the history of the work done among the coi- 
ored people, justice but demands that something should be 
-said about a most remarkable episode that occurred 
among this people, and which in some respects finds its par- 
allel only in the celebrated New England Witchcrazein 1692. 
In the early part of the summer of 1889, a white man 


194. HISTORY OF MIDWAY CHURCH. 


named Dupont Bell, appeared suddenly in the lower part of 
the county, from whence not definitely known, though from 


Ohio, it was said, slender in form, about thirty-five years of — 


age, of rather pleasing appearance, open countenance, with 
long flowing beard and hair of light sandy color, parted in 
the middle, somewhat curly, resting upon his shoulders; at- 
tired in copper colored suit, with a sailor’s oilcloth hat and 
colored shoes, and withal remarkably well versed in the 
Scriptures. This man knocked at a house occupied by a col- 
ored man and family at a late hour in the night. Being: re- 
fused admittance on account of the lateness of the hour, the 
family all having retired, he stated that if they knew who it 
was that knocked, they would not hesitate to open to him. 
On being asked who he was, he made to them the startling 
announcement that he was the Christ, and that if they 
would call their neighbors and friends together he would 
make known to them the object of his mission. By the next 
day a considerable number were gathered together, when he 
proceeded to tell them that he was Jesus, who had been cru- 
cified and risen from the dead. To confirm their credulity, 


he asked if they did not remember the great earthquake. 


which they had a few years before (1886), and if they were 
not all shaken at that time? Said he, ‘‘that shaking was 
produced by my coming. You have been praying for my 
coming. I am now come, and there is xo need to pray any 
more; no necessity of planting or doing anything more, but 
to get ready; that the world would come to an end in Au- 
gust, and that as Moses led the Israelites into the promised 
land, so in about forty days he would lead them to Jerusa- 
lem. He told them the people would soon rise against him 


and have a Sanhedrim court, and would cast him out as | 


they did before, but it would make no difference if they 
would only stand up to him. 

This he did from day to day. The congregations contin- 
ued to increase. The colored people flocked from all the sur- 
rounding country. In afew weeks he had between two and 
three hundred followers. A bush arbor was first erected 
near the junction of the Riceboro and McIntosh roads, under 
which they met for awhile, but afterwards they removed to 


THE CHRIST CRAZE. 195 


Mr. Walthour’s ‘(Homestead Place,’’a few miles farther back 
in the country, where they met every day under two majes- 
tic live oaks, covering at least a quarter of anacre of ground 
where they had a box placed termed ‘‘The Ark,” and into it 
the people deposited all their money which they had been 
told was now useless. The people became almost frantic 
with excitement. The nearest surrounding churches 

_were drawn heavily upon, and for the time even threatened 
with extinction, as Bell had told them that their pastors 
were imposing upon them, robbing them and preaching only 
for money for which he gave them no authority, as he him- 
self went without money or scrip. 

The people became deluded with the belief that Bell was 
the Christ from his singular appearance, his wonderful 
knowledge of the scriptures, and also his pretended power 
to work miracles; for on one occasion, when walking along 
the road, said he, to a crowd following him: “Did not 
Christ, when on earth, convert water into wine?’ Hand 
me half a dollar. He took the money and put it into a tin 
bucket which one of them had, then shaking the bucket 
turned it upon the ground, when lo, by a dexterous turn, a 
dollar rolled out, which was accepted as a genuine miracle 
by his admiring followers. 

His power over them was truly marvelous. Indeed he 
seemed to have had perfect control, they holding themselves 
in readiness to do his every bidding. In obedience to his be- 
hest they ceased working, neglected their farms, sold their 
goods, and lived together upon the proceeds. 

By the middle of August their proceedings became so dis- 
orderly and riotous, and the community so demoralized, 
that the sober people, both white and colored, felt that 
something must be done to arrest the evil, as it had become 
a standing menace to the continuance of good order, for 
they had not only abandoned their homes and farms, but 
many of them had begun to show signs of mental aberra- 
tion. Whereupon a warrant of vagrancy was sworn out 
against said Bell. He was arrested by the sheriff and car- 
-ried to Flemington before the magistrate, Captain W. A. 
Fleming, for commitment trial. He was carried in a buggy, 


196 HISTORY OF MIDWAY CHURCH. 


guarded by officers and armed men, to prevent disturbance. 

The negroes followed their Christ, as they termed him, in 

crowds. Instead of trying him at that time, the magistrate 
appointed a day for hearing the case at McIntosh station. 

As the prisoner was carried back, the crowd followed fran- 

tically shouting, singing and crying: ‘‘Thisisour Jesus, who 

was nailed to the tree.’”? Before the day of the trial it was 

thought best to change the form of the warrant from va- 

grancy to that of lunacy, as it was obvious that Bell was 

deranged. A jury was accordingly summoned, and upon a 

formal trial in August, 1889, he was adjudged non compos 

mentis, and a short while afterwards sent to the asylum at 
Milledgeville, Ga., where he still remains confined. 

After Bell’s sentence and before leaving for the asylum, he 
appointed his right hand man and counselor, Edward James, ~ 
at that time a magistrate, as his successor, and left every- 
thing in his hands, with full authority to carry on the govy-— 
ernment till his return which, he said, would bein a veryshort 
time. Bell had told the people that his spirit would return 
and probably in the person and form of a colored man, and 
as James claimed to have the spirit of Bell, they believed him 
and were therefore ready to accord him all honor and au- 
thority, and which he was not slow to receive, and which 
‘~he resigned his magistracy to accept. For a short time 


~©* James carried it with a high hand, and issuing orders which 


‘were implicitly obeyed. In obedience to his orders the peo- 
ple continued to cast their silver into the ark, which none of 
them dared touch, as Bell had assured them that the person 
touching the same would instantly be smitten of the Lord. 
Upon David James endeavoring to get his brother Edward 
away, the people in their fury fell upon one Samuel Carter, 
who had accompanied him, and beat him quite severely. In 
-a general melee that followed, some outside parties, who 
“were more under the influence of cupidity than feelings of 
piety, stole all the money and carried it off. Soon after this 
James was arrested and tried on charge of Lunacy and ad- 
judged insane and sent to the asylum at Milledgeville, where 
he died. 
Under and in connection with his leadership rose one 


7 


THE CHRIST CRAZE. 197 


Shadrach Walthour, who, often hearing Bell speak of Solo- 
mon’s greatness, vainly imagined himself to be that person- 
age, and therefore styled himself as ‘‘King Solomon,’’ and 
by which appellation he was generally recognized. But un- 
fortunately for this would be king, he was soon arrested un- 
der the charge of disorderly conduct, and placed in the coun- 
ty jail at Hinesville, where, while awaiting his trial, he sud- 
denly and rather mysteriously died. The jailer was thought 
to be the cause of his death and was afterwards tried under 
the charge of murder, but was acquitted. 

After the arrest of ‘‘King Solomon,’’ the government and 
leadership were left in the hands of Elien Roberts, as ‘‘Queen 
Mary,” or ‘‘Virgin Mary,” or ‘‘Queen of Sheba,”’ as she was 
variously styled. And under this appellation, and under 
her more gentle sway, the affairs of the society were con- 
ducted until the close. 

Upon the removal of Bell all restraint seemed to be re- 
-moved, and such orgies and abominations practiced as hard- 
ly to be believed. Eyewitnesses say that the picture can 
hardly be overdrawn. Among other things they were even 
charged with laying aside the marital vow under the delu- 
sive idea of having ‘‘things in common.” . But we draw the 
vail over this part of the proceedings. 

With Bell, their Christ, and his deputy, James, both in the 
asylum; with Solomon, their king, under arrest and held in 
“‘durance vile’’ for misdemeanor, and with several of their 
prominent leaders hopelessly insane, and the strong arm of 
the law beginning to assert its authority, the delusion grad- 
ually fell out of view. Though for a time, it was said, they 
still had a queen to whom they secretly did homage. The 
craze, like a passing storm, shook mightily for awhile some 
of the churches of the neighborhood. The Congregational 
near by, but especially the two Baptists at Newport, and 
the Methodist at MeIntosh, were for_a time considerably 
~ brought under the influence of this ecclesiastical maelstrom. 

Concerning this delusion we have to say: 

1. That Bell was obviously a crazy man, and therefore we 
are not to be astonished at any of his hallucinations and 
vagaries. 


198 HISTORY OF MIDWAY CHURCH. 


2. That while this was the case, it nevertheless cannot 
but be a matter of considerable astonishment that he ob- 
tained such a large following, and especially in such a coun- 
ty, where so much had been done for the religious instruc- 
tion of the negroes, and it is only on this account that it is 
worthy of notice, especially as it might, and has been used, 
as an argument against the work of the churches in behalf 
of this race. - 

3. Truth and justice to the sainted dewl: to Dr. Jones and 
his coadjutors, who so faithfully labored for their spiritual 
welfare demand the statement that very few, if any, of the 
regular descendants of the old Midway people were led off 
by the delusion or took any part in those scenes. And this 
was especially true of those who had lived around the old 
church, of which Rev. J. T. H. Waite was pastor, and which 
is now Presbyterian. The same is also true of the Presby- 
terian church, on the other side, at Riceboro, of which Rey. 
B. L. Glen, colored, was pastor. The greatest drain was 
upon the congregations and churches above enumerated. 

From these two facts we see: 

First, the utter unfairness of declaring that the work 
among the colored people was a failure. 

And, secondly, the wisdom of Dr. C. C. Jones and others, 
in not encouraging the separate organization of the colored 
people into a separate church of their own. The question of 
a separate and independent church for the colored people, 
with only colored ministers and without any aid or over- 
sight from the white race, under present environments at 
least, may be regarded as still an open one. 

3. A third inference is the entire suitableness of the Pres- 
byterian form of government for the illiterate and uneduca- 
ted. The church of Mr. Glenn (Presbyterian) was not at all 


disturbed by the commotion, having lost none of its mem- ~ 


bers, whilst that of Mr. Waite on the other side, lost but a 


few, and only temporarily. The government of a congrega- — 


tion, by an intelligent board of officers, with an educated 
minister and well taught and trained elders, is rational and 
effective, as well asin harmony with the general teachings 
of the scripture. To leave that government in the hands of 


THE CHRIST CRAZE. 199 


an ignorant and untrained populace, is to leave it in a state 
of insecurity, with room for considerable swing in any direc- 
tion. 

4. Our final remark is, that the most astonishing thing in 
connection with the whole matter is that the scene of these 
outrageous proceedings was, as already hinted, almost 
within sight, and under the very shadow of a large flourish- 
ing institution erected for the colored people. In justice to 
said institution, however, let it be said: 

1. That the teachers were away at the time, having re- 
turned to the North, whither they go every summer on ac- 
count of health during the sickly season. Their presence 
might have done much in way of restraint. 

2. Whatever might be said of the church and congrega- 
tion, I have no knowledge of the fact that any of the pupils 
of said institution ever took any part in those proceedings. 

3. The institution had hardly been in existence long 
enough to permeate all classes with its refining and eleva- 


_ ting influences, as to shield a whole district from such an 


inroad. The elevation of a people from a state of ignorance 
and servitude must be necessarily slow. If Bell had deferred 
his visit till now, he might not have been so successful in se- 
curing followers. . 


CHAPTER XII. 


SPECIAL EVENTS—REVIVALS. 


Though not in the habit of holding protracted meetings, 
yet the church has frequently been visited with the out- 
pouring of the Spirit and precious seasons of revival. The . 
following account of some of these revivals is from the pen 
of Rev. T. S. Winn, a native of the county, and for seven 
years co-pastor of the church: ; 


STEWART STATION, ALA., Jan. 14, 1895. . 


Dear Bro. Stacy:—Some few- weeks ago you wrote me, 
asking of me some account of the previous seasons of revival — 
of religion that had occurred in my day, in connection with 
the old Midway church, of Liberty county, Ga. I have 
thought over the matter and will give you a brief statement — 
of some of the facts as my memory can recall them. 

1. The first of those ‘‘seasons of revivals’’ of which I have 
any distinct recollection occurred at Midway, about 1827, 
the pastor, Rev. Robert Quarterman, being assisted, I think, 
by Dr. Joseph Stiles, then in the prime of his manhood. Be- 
ing then a little boy and not an eye witness, I will tell it as 
reported to me by some of the older ones of the community. 
It was spoken of as a meeting of uncommon power, bring- 
ing into the church such persons as Messrs. John B. Mallard, 
Samuel Spencer, Sr., Ezra Stacy, Rev. James Dunwoody, and 
many others, who afterwards led very useful lives. 


Among the persons greatly moved by that meeting was a” 


relative of mine, who was so much troubled that formonths 
it was feared by his friends that he would lose his balance of 
mind. In the midst of it he visited my mother, and in the 


. eee 


REVIVALS. ‘ . 201 


silent hours of the night on his bed he obtained a hope of 
salvation through Christ. Arousing the family he sent a 
half mile distant for Mr. Thomas Mallard, an aged deacon 
of the church, to come and hear the glad tidings, ‘‘and there 
was joy in that city.” I was then a little boy lying on my 
bed, and not. understanding the import of what was going 
on around I witnessed the most touching scene of my life. 
It reminds me of ‘‘Paul and Silas at midnight in the prison 
of Philippi singing praises unto God.” Tomy youthful mind, 
it seemed mysteriously wonderful and sublimely beautiful. 
This people in those days were greatly in earnest and made 
no child’s play of religion. In speaking of the meeting many 
years after, I heard Mr. Stiles tell of two deadly enemies 
meeting in the aisles of the church in the presence of the con- 
gregation embracing and becoming reconciled. 

2. The second one of those revivals of religion, and this 


“one under my own observation, occurred at Walthourville, 


then a branch of the Midway congregation, probably about 
the year 1832. That meeting was begun by Mr. Stiles, and 
in a week or so after was renewed by Rev. Daniel Baker, D. 
D., and finally closed by Rev. Josiah Law, of the Baptist 
church. In all, it must have lasted several weeks, and wasa 
mighty outpouring of the Spirit’s influence. I can think of 
such persons as Messrs. John E. Ward, Peter Winn, Augus- 
tus Bacon, Patrick H. Mell, Charles West, jr., Josiah Dun- 
ham, of Darien, and many other promising young men, who 
were professedly converted. Several of them became minis- 
ters of the gos pel or occupied other high positions inlife. Its 
influence on the village was very happy. The meeting lasted 
several weeks. The exercises began every day with a sun- 


‘rise prayer-meeting at the church. 


8. The third one of these revivals of religion was at Mid- 
way in December of the same year, when the pastor, Mr. 
Quarterman, was assisted at least in the first part of the 
services by such ministers as Rev. Horace Pratt, Messrs. 
Engles, and Dwight, of middle Georgia, Rev. Samuel Law, 
(Baptist), and by Rev. S. J. Cassels, who did most of the 
preaching. Mr. Cassels was then in the bloom of youthful 
vigor, and preached with energy, pathos, eloquence, and 


aly zeal, as I have never seen Sepia It pees as a 


simple three days’ meeting, but so great was the ind goes 


soon manifested, that many sent home for provisions and — 
bedding and camped on the ground, the only such meeting 
ever held at that place. No where else have I ever seen such ~ 


religious interest as was manifested on that occasion. eam ra 


% 


early dawn to eleven o’clock at night it was prayer, praise, — 3 


exhortation, and preaching, either in private tents or in the 


remember one cold night the whole congregation were on 
their knees, supplicating merey for themselves and others, 


4 
matt 


public sanctuary. The very ground to me seemed holy. I 


excepting myself, then a little boy, and threegentlemen, who __ 
said they were ‘‘waiting for feeling.’”’ We four would have — 


gladly joined the host, but ‘Satan hindered.” There-I 


learned what a sad thing it is to be in a small wrong minor- 
ity left out in the cold—how painful. We certainly were not 


a happy minority. ‘‘One shall be taken and the other left.” _ i 
I remember Mr. John Dunwody as especially active as an - ; 


exhorting layman; and old man Sharper, thecolored preach- 
er, was not idle. Assembling his people under a bush arbor 
he thundered forth the law and the gospel by day and by 
night. It was one of the most remarkable revivals, I pre- 
sume, that ever occurred in Georgia. Mr. Cassels, who 
seemed to be the leading spirit there, accomplished probably 


the greatest work of his life. Its influence on the county — 


was most favorable. For years after, there seemed to be a 
silent work of grace going on all of the time. At that 
meeting such persons as Messrs. S. M. Varnedoe, John Jones, 


Miss Hannah West, Miss Susan Wilson, Dr. J. H. Hardee, — 


R. Q. Way, Joseph W. Bacon, and Dr. J. M. B. Harden, with 
a great many more of like sort were brought into the fold of 
Christ ; some of them, may be all, shining bright to the end 
of Tife. % 

4. The fourth revival took place at Flemington, proba: 
bly about the year 1836, under the ministrations of Rey. 
Robert Quarterman, senior pastor of the church, then resid- 
ing at that place, when such persons as Mr. T..Q. Cassels, — 
Col. Artemas Baker, Capt. Moody, Mrs. Sarah Baker, Miss 
Mary Bacon, Miss Mary Quarterman, and a goodly num-— 


= 


+ 
-# 


REVIVALS. 2038 


ber of other important ones were brought into the kingdom 
of Christ. 


_ That revival was deep, pungent, powerful, and lasting; 
_ though it was noiseless, and hardly heard of at the time be- 


yond the precincts of the village. It began and continued 
under the ordinary means of grace, and was purely a work 
of divine power, with very little of human agency visible. 
It continued more or less for a whole year, and probably 
called forth not a single extra public service. I doubt very 
much if the village of Flemington has to this day lost the 
hallowed influence of that precious season of unusual grace. 
It made them notable for spirituality as a branch of the 
large Midway congregation. 

5. The fifth of those special seasons of revival, of which 
Ihave a distinct recollection occurred at Walthourville 
again under the preaching of Dr. Stiles. Its influence seemed 
to have been confined mostly to the young ladies of Miss 
Pyncheon’s school, the boys and young men, in the main, 


standing aloof and sometimes opposing and ridiculing. 


I remember one Sabbath night Dr. Stiles, after preaching, 
held in the church an inquiry meeting for the interested ones, 
which was attended only by the young ladies, the boys and 
wild young men standing about the doors of the church 
making many disparaging remarks. Mr. Stiles, I presume, 
hearing all that was said, through others, the next night in 
the conclusion of his sermon, left the pulpit and standing on 
the bottom step in a few feet of where the youngsters were 
congregated, repeated to them all that had been said, and 
then poured on them a volume of the most scathing rebuke 
I ever listened to, all to the delight of the congregation in 
general, but to the terror of the boys. Fired with holy in- 
dignation and love for souls, he gave them a tongue lashing 
that they never forgot. Sitting myself amongst them, 
though in truth innocent, I never felt so guilty in my life. 
The address was 2bout fifteen minutes in length, but it 
seemed to me to have been more than fifteen hours. It was 
like one of John Randolph’s scathing congressional lash- 
ings of his opponents in the halls of the National Assembly. 
In short, it withered all before it. Self condemned, I never 


HISTORY OF MIDWAY CHURCH. 


atter that night, heard one of the youngsters make a com- ‘f 
plaint or utter a disparaging remark about the great divine. _ 


They were too badly wounded to show fight. ‘ 


The meeting was happy in its results on the young la- y 
dies, bringing many of them ‘‘toa knowledge of the truth 


as it is in Jesus,” as Miss Drusilla Louis, Miss Mary W. 
Manning, and others of like character. That was the last 


sermon I heard from Dr. Stiles. He left the village next — o: 


morning, but not before taking the fort, and so far as I 
know never returned to preach in the county until sent there 
twenty-two years after as an evangelist, by the Synod of 


Georgia. He too, like Mr. Cassels, did a great work for 


Liberty county, perhaps more than any other of his day. 


His converts were everywhere. I remember many of his — 
sermons to this day, through a lapse of sixty-five years. He 


certainly signalized his departure from us by his tongue 
lashing of the boys in the corner of the church, a place then 
familiarly known as the “‘Bull pen.’”’ ‘“‘The young bullocks, 


long unaccustomed to the yoke” were tamed that night. 


Like Samson of old, his last was his greatest work. 

That meeting, I think, was in 1834 or 1835. The im- 
pression which that man left on my youthful mind, from his 
numerous ministrations in the Midway congregation was, 
that he was a prince among preachers, the most consecrated 
and holy, the most unselfish and noble minded, and the 
greatest intellect that the United States ever produced. And 
nothing has since occurred to change my opinion. Peace be 
to his ashes. a 

6. I will mention another precious season, not so fruit- 
ful in immediate results, but pleasant to contemplate. In 
the summer of 1838 Messrs. S. J. Cassels and the saintly and 
lovely George Howe, being on a visit to friends in the coun- 
ty, commenced a meeting in Walthourville, Messrs. Quar- 
terman and I. S. K. Axson, D. D., being then co-pastors of 


the Midway church. In their eatitel discourses they gave — 


us ‘a feast of fat things.’ On Sabbath night of the meeting 
Mr. Cassels preached one of his most interesting sermons 
from a text in John 3:12. After the close of the services my 
old friend and kinsman, Mr. Thos. W. Fleming, hastened to 


REVIVALS. 205 


the pulpit and entreated with tears in his eyes that the 
‘meeting be continued, for the benefit of his own unconverted 
_ kindred according to the flesh. The ministers were willing 
___to go on, but on consultation with some of the older mem- 
bers, it was deemed advisable to stop just there. I have 
often thought it was a happy opportunity left unimproved. 
They stopped where they ought to have begun, for the gen- 
___eralinterest was beginuing to be very great. Many of the 
_ dry bones in the valley were being stirred. I remember that 
__- mine were in a quiescent state, and the stopping of the 
meeting was somewhat ofa relief to some. 
But if the voice of the preacher was silenced, the work of 
the Spirit went on. Impressions then made, under the after 
- ordinary means of grace, brought a goodly number of the 
unconverted into the kingdom of Christ; such as Mrs. John 
B. Barnard, Mrs. Jesse Cooper, Mrs. Mary Leonard. There 
was a general noiseless religious awakening throughout the 
community that toldin time. The precious seed sown yield- 
ed its fruit in God’s own way and time. 
aes 7. ButIcan not stop yet. Thereis another great work 
-. ot grace to tell of in connection with the old church of our 
fathers. In the month of December, 1841, Messrs. Quarter- 
man and Axson, still co-pastors, held a meeting at Midway, 
in connection with their fall communion season, which re- 
sulted in glorious things. It was but little, if any, inferior 
in fruit to the campmeeting of 1831. It shook the strong- 
holds of Satan, bringing into the church such old veterans 
as Col. William Maxwell, Capt. Joseph Jones, Mr. Irwin 
: Rahn, John Andrews, Joseph M. Quarterman, and many no- 
ble ladies. People were so enthused, that during the meet- 
_ ing they seemed loth to leave the place after the services of 
-. the day were closed. I saw scores of them standing around 
the church door in a drizzling rain talking ofthe great things 
God had done for them and theirs. One might go into the 
graveyard during the intermission of services and he would 
see ladies in little groups falling on their knees in prayer. 
At the next communion in February, 1842, including the 
colored people, there were between fifty and sixty accessions 
to the church. In this meeting the pastors, aided chiefly by 


Rev. C. C. Jones, D. D., did the preaching for the occasion. Z 


Previous to this, Milway as a preaching station was — 
rather lagging behind. It had begun to be a question if it 
were not better to remove the church to some of the villages 


in the county. But that meeting reinstated her in the affec- 


tions of the people, and restored the departing prestige of — 


olden times, which she held to the close of the civil war. The 
centripetal force prevailed over the centrifugal, and Midway 
again stood erect in her position of solemn grandeur sgh ea 
the churches of the world. 

8. From that time to the fall of 1848, I cannot recall any 


season of special revival in the church. But at the close of — “ 
the year last named there was a meeting of great interest at _ 


Midway, and many additions were made to the church, un- 
der the preaching of Messrs. B. F. Burroughs and S.J. Cas- 
sels. It was considered a precious season. Mr. Cassels 


then wasting away by the consumptive fever, preached as — 


a dying man to dying men, and greatly moved the masses. 
It was his last effort in connection with protracted meet- 
ings on earth, and it was well done. 

9. Sometime about the year 1852 or 1853, the senior 


: 


pastor of the church, Rev. I. S. K. Axson, D. D., was laid 


aside and hindered from preaching by a serious protracted 
affection of the throat. All the responsibilities of the large 
church falling on the shoulders of the junior pastor,! he was 
naturally intimidated and began casting about on the right 
and left looking for help. Just then, in the nick of time, ap- 
peared in our midst Rev. Daniel Baker, D. D., then living in 
Texas. It was a return to his native home after an absence 
of seventeen years, then in the sixty-third year of his age, 
with his eye undimmed and his natural force unabated. Ever 
ready to preach, he was at once put into service, and, in the 
course of about two weeks preached every day and night in 
all parts of the congregation, at Midway, Dorchester, North 
Newport, (Baptist) Walthourville and Flemington. 

As might be expected, the magic power of his name drew 
crowds everywhere to his preaching, and the people gener- 


1. The writer. 


REVIVALS. 207 


ally were greatly aroused. Though there did not immedi- 


_ ately follow any great accession to the church from the 


white population, the colored people at once caught the 


spirit of the earnest preacher, and were most wonderfully 


moved, and continued so for at least two years, up to the 
time of my departure from the community in February, 
1855. It seemed to be a genuine revival of religion among 
themselves. During these two years they came all the time, 
late at nights, from the surrounding plantations to me and 
to others appointed for the purpose, to receive religious in- 
struction. I think the records of the church will show that 
between March, 1853, and March, 1855, there were one 
hundred and fifty or possibly two hundred accessions to the 
church from that class of the population. 

10. As already stated, in response to a call from Alaba- 


ma, I resigned my pastoral connection with Midway church 


and left about the last of February, 1855. About a week 
after my departure, the church being then under the pastoral 
care of Rev. D. L. Buttolph, D. D., there was a meeting at 
Midway of very great power, when there were large acces- 
sions to the church. Not being present, I know nothing of 
the interesting events connected therewith. I think Dr. B. 
M. Palmer, then on a visit to the place, was the leading 
spirit of the meeting. They told me of strong men tremb- 
ling under the power of the truth as proclaimed by him. 

I have thus given you in compliance with your request, 
some of the chief items of the ‘‘precious revivals in old Mid- 
way church,’ as happened during my residence in that 
county. With the exception of a few occasional visits to 
the home of my nativity, an absence of forty years forbids 
any further attempt in that line. 

Perhaps it is proper for me in conclusion to add, that the 
people of the Midway congregation were never strong ad- 
vocates for protracted meetings. In the main they were 
rather afraid of them. They preferred a slower and lesser 
growth. They relied mostly on the ordinary means of 
grace, backed by judicious home»~government and instruc- 
tion. Most ofthe protracted meetings mentioned in this 


paper of mine were not appointments of the church, or the 


208 HISTORY OF MIDWAY CHURCH. 


pastor, but grew out of circumstances over which the mem- 
bers and officers had no control. In fact, they were the fol- 
lowings of the leadings of Providence. Minister orno minis- 
ter present, they kept the sanctuary open every Sabbath. 
Bible classes, Sunday-schools, prayer meetings, and cate- 
chetical instruction, were the order of the day. Her strength 
and secret of success lay mostly in the orderly and faithful 
family government of her people. ‘‘Train upa child in the 
way in which he should go, and when he is old he will not 
depart from it.’’ Without this home influence her great 
meetings would never have been half so successful. 

But it is sad to think that the things I have been relating 
are now things of the past, and that the doors of the old or- 
ganization as handed down to us by our fathers are now 
closed. You have well said, ‘‘It is a theme for the poet and 
subject for the pen of the historian.’”” And under present 
circumstances it now devolves upon you to take the pen of 
the historian and complete the record. 


Yours Fraternally, 
T. SUMNER WINN. 


Ce et 
wie 


FOREIGN MISSIONS. 209 


CHAPTER XIIT. 


FOREIGN MISSIONS. 


The church, always liberal in her contributions and ever 
ready for every good work, seemed in her later history to 
be especially interested in the cause of Foreign Missions. 


_ For a number of years the monthly concert of prayer was 


kept up regularly at the different retreats, at which time, in 


addition to appropriate exercises collections were taken up 
in behalf of the cause. As-the result of regular systematic 
training, and in answer to the many prayers offered, God 


put it in the hearts of several of her people to offer themselves 


as missionaries to foreign fields. The first of these to goout 
were the Rev. R.Q. Way and wite, who were accepted by 
the Presbyterian Board as missionaries to Bankok, Siam. 
We must not forget that to go as missionary then was not 
so easy a thing as now. There were no steamships to short- 


- en the time, no Suez canal to lessen the distance, no rail- 


roads or telegraphs to facilitate or enliven the journey. The 


slow sailing vessel must be used. The cape of Good Hope 
must be doubled, and long weary months spent at sea, en- 
tirely cut off from the outside world. To go as missionary 


then was virtually to bid a final adieu to home and country 


and friends. Just before their leaving a farewell meeting 
was held at Midway on Sunday, August 27, 1843. The 


writer was present, being then a boy, and well remembers 


the scene and the deep emotion that moved the entire con- 


-gregation. An account of,it was prepared by Deoeac: 


Jones and published: over: thesignature “Subscriber,” in the i 
Charleston Observer-of that date, which it here copy. 


2LORS HISTORY OF MIDWAY CHURCH. 


RICEBORO, LIBERTY County, GA., 
August 29,1843... 
Rev. B. GILDERSLEEVE. 


Rev. and Dear Sir:—It was my privilege to attend 
upon the last Sabbath (27th) one of those meetings with 
which Almighty God is favoring his churches in different 
parts of our country, as well for their own as for the wel- 
fare of the perishing heathen. It was the meeting of the 
Midway church and congregation on the departure of two 
of their members as missionaries.. Icannot forego the sat- — 
isfaction of forwarding to you an account of that meeting, 
although I am sure I cannot convey to your: mind an ade: 
quate-conception of it. 

The day was aptly chosen. It was the regular commun- 
ion Sabbath. At an early hour the roads leading to the old — 
church, so hallowed in the religious association of the peo- 
ple of the country, were filled with carriages and gigs and 
crowds of negroes on foot and on horseback, all converging ~~ 
with haste to the sanctuary of God. At 10 a. m., the bell 
struck and we were engaged in a prayer-meeting, conducted 
by the members of the church, until. eleven, when the bell ~~ 
struck again and the congregation assembled again for pub- 
lic worship. The dense mass of negro communicants oceu- — 
pied the galleries while the lower floor was occupied by the 
whites, collected. from different parts of the country and — 
from different denominations of Christians. The Rev. C. C. 
Jones preached on the assurance of faith from I. Timothy — 
I:10-11. At the close of the sermon the junior co-pastor of — 
the church, Rev. I. S. K. Axson, admitted and baptized four — 
negroes. The communion service was then administered by 
Mr. Jones and himself, both making brief addresses to the 
communicants. The morning exercises were concluded by a 
prayer for the baptized children of the church and a: a 
doxology. 

After a brief intermission, the bell rang and we again as- — 
sembled in the house of God. This was the-farewell meet- 
ing. Mr. Richard Way was in the pulpit and took his text 


FAREWELL MEETING. 211 


from Acts XX:21. Silence pervaded the house, and from 
these noble, decided words of Paul, he delivered an address 
characterized by simplicity, earnestness and piety, which 
conveyed to his brethren and friends the conviction of his 
own mind and the impressions of his own heart, in respect 
to that great work to which he believed himself called of 
God. His closing remarks and his request for the sympathy 
of the church, and his final farewell were followed by in- 
tense feeling which found vent in tears from the whole con- 
gregation. The choir sang an appropriate hymn. Mr. Way 
came down and took his seat in the left pew from the face 
of the pulpit. Mr. Axson rose and delivered an address in 
which he took a brief sketch of the Apostle Paul, the noble- 
ness of the missionary work, the honor which God had put 
upon the church in chosing two of its members to go far 
hence to the Gentiles, and the great duty of the church to 
cherish more and more the missionary spirit; and then in 
behalf of the church and congregation, he expressed their 
sympathy, confidence and affection towards Mr. and Mrs. 
Way, and their desire ever to remember them at the throne 
of grace; their hope that God had called them to this work, 
would be with and sustain them even untodeath, andcrown 
their lives with usefulness. ‘‘The last act was now to be 
performed,” said he, ‘my brethren, in the name of this 
church and congregation, and by their request and direction 
I now extend to you my hand, and say farewell.” 

The negroes in the gallery, who had risen up as the inter- 
est of theservices increased, leaned forward with the tears run- 
ning down their cheeks, the congregation all below bowed 
with emotion; the weeping became audible. We remained 
in this state for about a minute, when Mr. Jones concluded 
by prayer in which the missionaries were solemnly and ear- 
nestly commended to God. On being dismissed I observed 
the ministers and members go up and shake hands with 
them in tears. No words were spoken, and we separated in 
silence. It was a day long to be remembered in this church. 
Although God has raised up many ministers from its own 
bosom, yet these are the first missionaries to the heathen. 

The wife of Mr. Way is'a daughter of the senior minister 


of his flees: was s enatile to take any part in pe services _ eg 
of the day. Mrs. and Mr. Way were both baptized in in- 3 


fancy at the very foot of that pulpit, where afterwards they bai “d 


entered into covenant with God for themselves; where they 
often sat at the table of the Lord; and where now they _ 
stood and gave themselves to God’s service in a far distant — 


Se 
land, and stood trusting in the promise of the Savior, “Lo, or 4 


I will be with you always, even unto the end of the world.’’ 


Farewell to home and kindred forever. They were known = 
to everybody, by many from infancy. Is there nothing in — 


these associations? What chord was struck in the meeting? 
Only a natural sympathy? No; it was thechord of Christian 


sympathy, that we felt a love for our young brother and 
sister. We felt a love for Christ whom they served; we felt Ye 


a love for the perishing heathen, for the cause they had, by — 
the grace of God, taken in hand. We wept to say farewell. 
We sorrowed that we could see their faces no more. But we 


bade them God-speed. We rejoiced over them. Wegave them ena 


up to God as his chosen messengers to carry that gospel, 


from which we cherished all the comfort and all our joy, to | 


those of our fellowmen, who are sitting in the region and 


shadow of death. With me unite in the prayer and say, O, 


that God would grant such meetings often to this church 


A 
‘ 


r 


and to every church in our southern land. Why sleeps the 


spirit of missions among us? Why are we not consecrating 
our sons and our daughters to this holy work of God? 
Have we nothing to do in encouraging the world? Let it — 


be proclaimed with the voice of a trumpet, that churches $0 


which live only for themselves shall die to themselves. No, a 


let the word be altered, they shall die within themselves. It 


is the spirit of missions, the very spirit of the Lord Jesus, 


which will breathe into them life, liberality and energy. It 


is not to be questioned that this meeting will be blest to the __ 


Midway church and congregation, indeed to the whole 
country. 


There is one missionary already in the east from this 


country, the Rev. Edward Stevens, of the Baptist church. 


He went out several years since, a young man of piety and 


' FAREWELL MEETING. 213 


great promise, as a missionary. He was a member of the 
‘Sunbury Baptist church. Itis said Mr. Way and himself 
___ will be about one hundred miles apart. 

4 __ On Monday morning at six o’clock a prayer-meeting was 
_ held with Mr. and Mrs. Way by their relatives and friends 
F: at Jonesville, one of the summer retreats of the county, 
re _ which was their last interview with them. At eleven or 
___ twelve o’clock they took the stage and left the county first, 
4 _ for Columbia, S. C., where Mr. Way will be ordained, and 
then north, to embark for Siam. 


Very respectfully, yours, 


SUBSCRIBER. 


As stated above, Mr. and Mrs. Way started on their jour- 
ney on the Monday following. Not long after their arrival 
at Columbia, Mr. Way, who was a licentiate of Charleston 

: Presbytery, licensed April 8th, was ordained by them in 
_ September, and went directly on to New York, from whence 
b- expecting to sail; but no vessel offering for Siam, they went 
to Boston, from whence they embarked November 18th in a 
sailing vessel for the island of Java. After waiting there in 
vain two months for a vessel for Siam and none appearing, 
they left in a Dutch vessel for Singapore, where they re- 
mained two months. There learning through Mr. and Mrs. 
Buell, the only missionaries of Siam, who were leaving on 
- account of Mrs. Buell’s health, that the mission there was 
‘broken up, they changed their course tor China, and reached 
Macoa; where meeting Rev. W. M. Lowrie and other mis- 
: sionaries, they determined to settle at Ningpo, which place 
they reached November, 1844, just twelve months after 
sailing from Boston. While at Singapore their eldest child 
was born unto them. 

About two years after the departure of Mr. and Mrs. Way, 
Rev. John Winn Quarterman, son of Rev. Robert Quarter- 

3 man ,and brother of Mrs. Way, joined them in the mission, 

where he faithfully labored till his death October 14, 1857. 
The following have also gone as missionaries: 

Se Rev. William LeConte, son of Louis LeConte, Jr., who went 


ey 
ht 
\ 


fy PAiyeuss 
Bee 


Jt 


; : oe 
- HISTORY. OF MIDWAY CHURCH. — 


Ye 
as casas to Brazil i in the winter of 1872, aici after four 
years’ service died at Washington, D. C., November, 1876, 

Rev. Thos. Clay Winn and his sister, Miss Harriet Louisa. 
. Winn, the son and daughter of Rev. John Winn, and both ea 
missionaries to Japan. The former was born at Fleming- 25 
ton dee 29, 1851, ordained in 1874, and went out thesame ee 


west eee: ea miles from the sea. The latter, also aes at as 
Flemington May. 14, 1853, went to China in. 1873, and af 
__ ter twelve years’ service as a missionary of the Dutch Re 
_ formed Board in Yokohoma, married a prosperous a Merge i: ; 
chant of that city, and now resides there. ec y 
In addition to these, I mention the name of Mis. ig i. 
_. Woodbridge, the daughter of Dr. James Woodrow, grand- 
_ daughter of Rev. J. W. Baker, one of the Liberty county — GO 
ministers, -and wife of Rev. Samuel I. Woodbridge, mission- 
ary..to Japan. ones 2 ai 
. , Also, that of Miss Mary Leila Winn, daughter of Rew ake 
a Thomas Sumner and Mary (Quarterman) Winn, who was © 2% 
born in Hale county, Alabama, August 12, 1861, and went — 
as missionary to Japan. in 1882, ‘under the Dutch Reformed _ ce 
Church, where she has now been laboring for sixteen years. 
_ Thus, including Dr. Abiel ‘Stevens, Baptist missionary to 
Burmah, whose parents were members at Midway at the time 
of his birth, and had him dedicated to the Lord ia baptism, | mee 7 
the old church has ‘the honor of sending out directly and he: 
through her descendants, nine missionaries to foreign fields, ae 
- five men and-four ladies, viz.: Rev. Dr. Stevens, Rev. R. Q.— 
Way, Rev. Jokn Winn Quarterman, Rev. “Wiliam LeConte, 
Rev. Thomas Clay. Winn, ‘and Mrs., W ay, Miss. Harriet’ 
Louisa Winn, Mrs.. Woodbridge, and Miss Mary Leila Winn,, 
‘the list being ‘wholl y exclusive of Rev. John Winn and wife, 
who offered themselves and were accepted as foreign mis. 
_ .sionaries by | the Presbyterian Board, but were areveateds 
from going on account of the. ill, health of Mrs. Winn, as © 
elsewhere stated. _ 


3 


Phe ae PE GRAVE YARD. «i>. 215 


CHAPTER XIV. 


THE GRAVE YARD. 


The day after the arrival of Messrs. Bacon and Baker, the 
- pioneers of the colony, Mrs. Susannah Baker, the wife of 
Mr. Benjamin Baker, died. The place of her sepulture is un- 
known. Perhaps she is sleeping alone in one of the fields, or 
: __ perchance by some roadside. The present cemetery was 
doubtless not laid off until after the permanent location of 
- _ the meeting house in 1756. The cemetery lies west of the 
4S ~church and immediately across the public road. It is en- 
__~ closed with a solid substantial brick wall, six feet high, 
_. eighteen inches thick, and with outstanding pilasters every 
twenty-four feet, with an iron gate. As early as March, 
1800, the question of enclosing the yard was agitated, and 
the Society authorized the select men to secure an addition 
to the ground and arrange for a brick enclosure. At the 
annual meeting in 1807 a committee, consisting of Messrs. 

James Powell, Daniel Stewart and- Peter Winn, was ap- 
‘pointed to open a subscription and arrange for its con- 
struction. Not, however, until about 1813 was the work 
- completed: The estimated cost was $2,600.00, to which 
‘was added $165.00 to have the same covered with a coat 
of plastering to preserve the brick. . The iron gate was pre- 
3 sented by the Independent Troop, the money with which it 
__ ~ was bought being won in a tilt at Savannah at one of the 
Squadron parades. 

The plat of ground, though added to aed the wall was 
built, is considerably less than two acres,. and yet how many 
-_ graves!.and what precious dust lie commingled there! The 


216.5 HISTORY OF MIDWAY CHURCH, be Ae 


a ade = = 


Records show that at least twelve hundred persons shavedied 


during the one hundred and thirteen years of the chine 2 ‘. 


existence, nearly all of whom are buried in that small place. _ 
Here lie entombed the remains of one governor, Nathan — ; 
Brownson; one senator, John Elliott; one commodore, John 

McIntosh ; two generals, James Screven, and Daniel Stewart; — 
one iioaaee United States Army, but Confederate cap- . 


tain at the time of his death, L. R. McConnell;’ eleven min- S 
isters of the gospel, besides a host of the most pious 


and consecrated men and women that have ever lived. I. 
seriously doubt, if considering the size of the cemetery, the 
time of burial, and number of interments, a greater amount 
of precious consecrated dust can be found in any other acre 
upon the surface of the globe. 
The following are the ministers buried there: __ 
1. Rev. John Osgood, Congregational, died Aug. 2,1773. 
2. Rev. Stephen Hoyt, Congregational, died Sept. 10, 1803 
3. Rev. Thomas S. Winn, Baptist, died Jan. 27, 1819. 
4. Rev. James C. Cosby, Presbyterian, died Nov. 27, 1837. 
5. Rev. Augustus O. Bacon, Baptist, died July 3,1839. 
6. Rev. Peter Winn, Presbyterian, died Jan. 18, 1847. 
7..Rev. Robert Quarterman, Pres., died April 19, 1849. f 
8. Rev. Sam’l J. Cassels, Presbyterian, died June 15, 1853. _ 
9. Rev. Henry J. Stevens, Baptist, died Oct. 10, 1854. 
10. Rev. Moses Way, Methodist, died Dec. 12, 1859. 
11. Rev. Chas. C. Jones, D. D., Pres., died March 16,1863. — 
The yard contains quite a number of substantial and even 
elegant monuments. Here may be seen the family vaults of 
Hon. John Elliott and James Powell. Here the tomb of 
John Lambert, the philanthropist, who, though dead, is 
still living in his benefactions. Here is buried Mr. Louis Le- — 
Conte, the father of the celebrated professors, John and Jo- 
seph LeConte, a man characterized as much for his scien- 
tific research as his modest unassuming character, and who, 
with the least encouragement on his part, could have been 
elected Professor of Natural Science in the State University. 
Here is buried that remarkable man, John Quarterman, one 


1. Buried outside the south wall. A movement was on foot to enlarge the yard at 
the commencement of the war, and several families had commenced burying without. 


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THE GRAVE YARD. PAT 


of the original settlers, from whom have descended twenty- 
two ministers, four of whom, with two ladies, were 
missionaries to foreign fields. Here rest the remains of that 
“‘mother in Israel,’”? Mrs. Eliza Winn, the mother and grand- 
mother of four ministers and two foreign missionaries. Here 
rest, sleeping side by side, the father and mother of United 
States Senator Augustus O. Bacon. Here lies buried Mrs. 
Aramintha Gildersleeve, the wife of the Rev. Cyrus Gilder- 
sleeve, whose many virtues her husband has embalmed in 
the following lines upon her tombstone: 

“She, who in Jesus sleeps beneath this tomb, 
- : Had Rachel’s face, and Leah’s fruitful womb, 

Abagail’s wisdom, Lydia’s faithful heart, 

And Martha’s care, with Mary’s better part.” 

Among the many young people who lie sleeping in this 
camping house of the dead is the tomb of a young man who 
died in early manhood, of heart disease, after several years 
of declining health, around whose life clustered much inter- 
est and in whose tomb many fond hopes were buried. The 
young man was Macon Baker, the son of Mr. W. Q. Baker, 
born May 11, 1829, and brother of several ministers of that 
name. The deepest interest was felt for him by the entire 


‘community. The ground of the interest was the fact that 


though clearly marked as an early victim of the tomb, he 
was not a professor of religion which stirred many a pious 
heart with earnest desire for his salvation. Just before his 
death, which occurred Nov. 21, 1852, he composed the fol- 


lowing lines, which not only showed the struggle going on 


in his own mind, but furnished ground for the hope that he 
obtained the victory before he died: 


“Why, oh why, is this oppression? - 
Why this load upon my breast? 
Nothing makes a right impression, 
Nothing sets my heart at rest. 


“My bosom seems in strange commotion, 
Contending passions mar my peace: 

My spirit’s like the restless ocean, 

Oh, who can bid this storm to cease? 


“Tis toolate. No one may ever 
Set at ease my troubled heart. 


218 


March 6, 1851. 


OLD OAK IN MIDWAY GRAVE YARD. 


moss hanging in sad funereal folds, fit emblem of the place. 
Under its outspreading foliage and covering at least a quar-— 
ter of an acre, several families have enclosures for theirdead. . 


HISTORY OF MIDWAY CHURCH. 


Bid me not to hope it; never 
Will my anxious fears depart. ; 
“No; those fears are too well grounded, : oe a's 4 4 y 
This you'll find when ’tis too late; . > 
Question not a heart that’s wounded, 

’Twill only hasten its sad fate. 

“Why, oh why, O God of nature! a ae 
An immortal spirit give is 
To so weak, so vile a creature, 
Lest itybe with Thee to live? 


“May I not yet hope to see Thee, 
Heavenly Father, God of love? 
Wilt Thou not, oh, Father, free me 
From my guilt, my sin remove? ? 
“Ves, Thou wilt, fot Thdw Hast said it, ey 
’Tis recorded in thy word; % “ 
There full often have I read it, i 
To Thy wiil I bow, O, Lord.” ; 


- Theyardis — 
draped with 
a grove of 
MOSS-COV- 
ered trees. 
Upon the 
northern. 
side, andjust 
within the 
wall stands 
a majestic — 
Liver Oak, 34 


which meas- 
ures nineteen , 
feet in cir- © — 
cumference, ‘ 
withthedra- 


pery of long 


THE GRAVE YARD. 219 


Beneath and close to the trunk of this oak may be seen the 
tomb of Dr. Abner Porter, a native of Virginia, and practi- 
cing physician, with his office at Riceboro, who committed 
suicide.February 6, 1808, in the thirty. fourth year ofhis age, 
by severing the femoral artery. The occasion for this rash 
and sad deed, it is said, was the fact of his being repulsed in 
_ his attentions and offer of his hand in matrimony, by one of 
the fair dames of the neighborhood. The tomb is very much 
lifted by the increasing size of the growing roots. 

_ There is something else concerning this resting place of the 
a dead worthy of note. Among the monuments, there are 
% some head and foot pieces of pine and cypress wood that 
have been, and are still standing in the ground, over one 
hundred years. I have a piece of one of them now before me, 
that stoodin 
the ground 
from 1776 to 
1889, one 
hundred and 
thirteen 
years, the in- 


: terior  por- 
; tion being 
= still hard 


and firm. 
For the past 
. 50 years the 
= preservation 
of these pie- 
ces have ex- 
cited the 


wonder and 
-astonish- HeEaspanp Foor Prrce ERECTED IN 1770, STILL STADING, 1899. 


ment of every one who visits the ground. 
: But time has commenced doing its work. It fills the heart 
with intense sadness to visit the oid spot and see the decay 
that is going on. For twenty years the old church building 
> was given the colored people, the only compensation re- 
quired being that they should care for the cemetery. During 


a |) a 


that time the yard became very much neglected. Ma y 
the monuments were allowed to fall; others were upturned 
by trees growing up beside them. In the burning of limbs ose: 
and rubbish and grass, many of the monuments weresmoked — “ ae 
and greatly marred, insomuch that at the end of that time 
the contract was rescinded and the church used only by the — 
whites at the annual reunionsin March. Thecemetery now 
presents much of a neglected appearance; many of the in- 
scriptions being wholly illegible on account of a covering of 
moss, which has been accumulating upon them. No one, — 
however, can visit the place and look upon the old church, 
standing solitary and alone at the junction of two roads, — 
without a single home in view; her worshipers all gone; her 
doors closed; her careening steeple still pointing heaven- — 
ward, with the tops of her faded monuments silently lifting _ 
up their heads from underneath an arch of pendant moss, 
and peering over the massive brick wall, which encircles the — 
resting place of her dead, without feeling that heis standing 
upon consecrated ground. : + 
The following lines written by one of her sons, who him- _ 
self has passed away, and whose remains, at his own re- 
quest, were brought back from Florida, his recent home, 
and buried here, will be a fitting close to this notice of this __ 
‘hallowed spot, which I give not for their beauty of rhythm, — 
but loving sentiment. Only those born and reared under the 
influence of that church can enter into the peculiar emotion 
excited by its perusal. I have taken the liberty to make a 
few changes in the language. 


OLD MIDWAY. 


“Memory fondly, sadly lingers 

Where time with its corroding fingers 
Slowly and stealthily writes decay 

Upon the mouldering stones of old Midway. 


“Oh, softly and reverently tread 
This mausoleum of the dead! 
For ’tis holy, consecrated ground 
Within, without and all around. 


| ‘THE GRAVE YARD. 


7 


“For the ceaseless prayers and tears, 

Of more than a hundred years, 

race And the sleeping dust beneath t1e sod, 
_. Consecrate it to Heaven and God. 


“Cemetery of the countless dead ! 
Thy glory’s gone, thy beauty’s fied, 


And of the past are left alone, c : cs 
Ashes, and monumental stone. ie : 

~ “Yet, clustering round this sacred shrine, Be 
Fond recollections will e’er entwine; = 

A peculiar consecration to impart, it 
To this dear Mecca of the heart. = 
“Thy old Druid oak, a sentinel, 6 - ; = 

_ Will ever stand, and mutely tell =i % 
To sighing winds the story, __ : : ‘Si 
Of thy ruin and departed glory. : oe 


“Thy ivy covered walls may fall, 2 
_ And oblivion, with its dusky pall, = 

Shroud in desolation and decay ‘ 

Every monument of old Midway ; ; 


“Still thy deeds, immortal, sublime, 2 : 


Will far outlast the wrecks of time; & 
Forever and imperishable will be, ES 
Thy record upon the tablet of memory.” oF 
E. G. Way. = 

= = iret = = . 

< 

a 

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ay 

a 

2 

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io 


"CHAPTER XV. 


CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION. 


One of the most interesting occasions in the history of the 
church was the Centennial exercises held December 5th, 6th, : 


and 7th, 1852. 
At the annual meeting March 10, 1852, the following res- 


olutions were offered by.Mr. W..S. Baker and adopted : ~ AS 


“Whereas, the 5th of December next, will bea century since the settle- = 


ment of this community. in this place, therefore, 

Resolved, That, in token of respect to the memory of our ancestors and of 
gratitude to our Preserver, we will celebrate that day with suitable sa 
ance; and further, 

Resolved, That a committee shall be appointedby the Chair, consisting ‘of 


thirteen in number, from the different parts of the community, to make at <e 


the necessary arrangements. 

The Chair then appointed the following gentlemen as that 
committee, viz: W.S. Baker, L.J. Mallard, H. H. Jones, 
T. Q. Cassels, W. G. Martin, John W. Stacy, W. Q. Baker, 


T. S. Mallard, Thomas Quarterman, Sr., N. Varnedoe, Wil- a 7 


liam Jones, J. B. Barnard, and Thos. W. Fleming. 


As the 5th of December was the Sabbath, the exercises” 
commenced with a sermon appropriate to the, occasion, re- 
viewing the past and offering encouragement for the future, — 


by Rev.I.S.K. Axson, then senior pastor, a native of 


Charleston, and formerly pastor of the old Dorchester, Car- 


olina, church for two years before going to Midway. The 


congregation was large, being gathered from all parts of the — 


county. 


The firing of cannon early Monday morning by the Chat- 


ham Artillery, invited guests for the occasion, announced 


the festivities of the day. At an early hour the people com- 2 


menced to gather from all quarters. The roads werecrowd- 


ed with vehicles, carrying loads of occupants, journeying 
with unusual interest to the Mecca of their hearts. By ten 
o’clock a congregation was gathered, which was never be- 
fore witnessed. From a Liberty pole in front of the church 
floated the national colors. The procession formed from a 
point in the Sunbury road, and marched to the church to 
music furnished by the German brass band of the Artillery 
company. The venerable Col. William Maxwell, wearing 
two blue rosettes, was president of the day, assisted by 
Captains Peter W. Fleming and Abiel Winn, as grand mar- 
shals. A broad banner bearing the inscriptions: ‘Our 
Fathers, St. John’s Parish, 1752,”’ and “Our Country, Our 
Whole Country, the Land of the Free and the Home of the 
Brave, 1852,” was borne by Mr. Thomas Q. Cassels, chair- 
man of the committee of arrangements, supported by Cap- 
tain Cyrus Mallard. On entering the church, after prayer 
and an ode sung, composed for the occasion by the Rey. 
Samuel J. Cassels, a historical address was delivered by Mr. 
John B. Mallard, setting forth the incidents and circum- 
stances connected with the early settlement of the colony, 
the trials and sufferings of the Revolutionary War, together 
with present development and growth. After the address 
and music by the band in the gallery, the congregation re- 
paired to the spot selected in front of the building for laying 
the corner stone of a monument proposed to be erected in 
honor of our forefathers. After prayer by Rev. Dr. C. C. 
Jones, and an address by the Rev. John Winn, the corner 


- stone of the monument, containing many relics and memo- 


rials, was laid. After a salute fired by the Artillery, the 
multitude repaired to a special banquet spread near by, ac- 
companied with the usual hilarity, drinking of toasts and 
speech-making, which wound up the festivities of the day. 
It was on this occasion that Rev. S. J. Cassels, then an in- 
valid confined to his room in Savannah, had his toast pre- 
sented and read, which the writer well remembers hearing, 


being at all the exercises, ‘‘Liberty county, the place of my . 


first and second birth, and yet to be the place of my third.” 
On the next day, Tuesday, the 7th, despite the rain and 


ewes Bs 


CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION. 223 


clouds, the firing of cannon at an early hour reminded + 
people that the festivities were not yet ended. The ] 


church, where they were highly entertained and instructed ; 
by an eloquent address by the Hon. William E. Law, one of 
her most honored sons, though at that time a citizen of Sa 
vannah. a 

I here give two brief extracts from the address now before me 
me: as 
“Hail, venerated county, in this wide world the net ie 
honored spot to me! Place of my nativity, sweet home of — “4 
my youth, scene of my earliest childhood, endeared by ae 
thousand recollections and associations of early life! Long — “.) 
a wanderer from the fold, [come up this day to lay my © 
humble offering upon the altar of your honor and yourfame, — bor 
and to commingle my congratulations and rejoicings with | 
you, 1y fellow citizens, on this happy = auspicious occa- 
sion.’ 


* * * * x es 
= 
=* 


“Here the patriotic Screven sealed with his blood his dt = 
votion to his country and the cause of liberty. Here the 
blood of a Baker flowed. Here the youthful, but gallant — 
Stewart, unsheathed a sword, which was never againtofind 
its scabbard until the victorious shout of liberty tcingaphies 
ant rung through the land. Departed spirits! A grateful — 
posterity have immortalized your virtues in the baptism of 
the counties of Georgia, which have your honored names. 
Yes, as long as Georgia shall exist, the names of Jones, 
Screven, John Baker and Daniel Stewart, will beremembered RA, 
by Georgians.” > ee, 

After the address followed a banquet and fests simi- 
lar to those of the Bees day, which brought the exerci- 3 
ses to a close. 

Thus ended the first Ccbtcasial of the old church. The 
occasion was one long to be remembered. Nothing occurred 
to mar its pleasures, and every body went away delighted 
and pleased with all that was said and done; and with pro- 
founder reverence for their forefathers, and a ‘feeling of .con-: ~~ = 
scious pride at the thought of being Fas descendants of such 
worthy sires. — 


eee ae his 


HOUSES OF WORSHIP. 225 


CHAPTER XVI. 


HOUSES OF WORSHIP. 


There have been four houses of worship. The first, a tem- 
porary structure, built of logs, some three quarters of a 
mile or more to the east of the present site, near the plan- 
tation of Mr. Thomas Mallard, and erected in the year 1754, 

mmediately after the arrival of a goodly number of the 
families. In this was held their first communion, September 
8, 1754. 

’ The second, a frame building, erected towards the close of 
the year 1756, forty-four by thirty-six feet, with a gallery 


eighteen feet in the story; with a pitched roof hipped at one 
- end and a small steeple in the other; the steeple in the west 


and the pulpit north. It was located on the east side of the 


Darien road and fronting the Sunbury road. Bartram 


speaks of it as ‘‘standing on the high road opposite the 
Sunbury road.’ Rev. Archibald Simpson, in his visit in 
1761, speaks of it ‘‘as a large and well finished meeting 
house.’’? It also had a vestry house near by. The ground 
upon which it was located was deeded by John Stevens and 
his wife, Mary, for the sum of four shillings. It contained 


_ two acres, bounded on the south by land of Rev. John Os-- 


good, and on all other sides by lands of John Ste- 
vens, and conveyed to all who had signed the articles of in- 
corporation and their heirs and to the Stewarts and Graves’, 
who expected soon to’ move, some forty in all. The follow- 


_ ing are their names: 


1. Travels, Page4. 2. Howe’s History, Vol. 1, Page 137. 


John Osgood, Thomas Way, ‘Samael Way, 
Parmenas Way, Nathaniel Way, Joseph Bacon, 
William Baker, John Shaves, Joseph Winn, 
John Quarterman, Nathaniel Clark, Richard Spencer, 
Josiah Osgood, Nathan Taylor, William Dunham, 
Benjamin Andrew; Samuel Stevens, John Mitchell, 
Edward Sumner, James Harley, Isaac Girardeau, 
Edward Way, John Elliott, William Graves, 
Benjamin Baker, Audley Maxwell, John Stewart, | 
Samuel Bacon, ‘John Lupton, 4 John Graves, © 
Moses Way, Isaac Lines, John Stewart, 
Richard Baker, John Winn, » Samuel Baker, 
John Quarterman, Andrew Way, Joseph Massey. 


#2 


Thomas Peacock, 


This house was burned by Lieutenant Colonel Pens 
and the British Friday morning, November 27, 1778. . Te & 
reason of this, I presume, was that the building was used as — 
a kind of fortification or barracks, a stockade being built — oe 
around it, according to Governor Ellis’ statement. And for 
the same reason too, no doubt, the British burned the ee : . 
chester, South Carolina, meeting house, for it seems to have - e: 
been similarly fortified and used. 

The third was a coarse building, with posts in the pee 
and filled with poles, and put up in 1784 after the revolu-— 
tion, upon the settlement of Mr: Holmes. As it was inten- 
ded to be temporary, and to be used during the construc. — 3 
tion of a more commodious one, it was located on the west ret 
side of the Darien road and south of the grave yard? It 
was enlarged the next year (1785) and a shelter also added — 
at the south side for the accommodation of the negroes. _ 
This house was used during the entire six years of Dr. 
Holmes’ ministry. kg 
- The present house, a frame building, was erected in 1792, 
the second year of the ministry of Rev. Cyrus Gildersleeve. — = = 
Dimensions, forty by sixty feet, with twenty feetin the sto- 
ry, and located very nearly upon the spot where the one — 
burnt by the British stood. It had a high pulpit at the east __ 
side, with a quaint old time sounding board overhead, 
which the writer distinctly remembers seeing when a child, 


1. Life of Daniel Baker by his son, page 17. 


HOUSES OF WORSHIP. er he 


_ with three doors; one in the north end, one in the west, and 
-_ one in the south end, with seats having doors, facing the 
pulpit. It also had a gallery with two flights of steps lead- 
_ing to the same from without. There was also a vestry 
house connected with it as the former had, located west of 
the road and south of the grave yard, which, as well as the 
church edifice, was painted red at first. In 1849 the pulpit 
4 in the church was removed to the north end; the gallery ex- 
___ tended to three sides opposite, and two of the doors closed, 
leaving only one entrance at the south that the people, as 
it was said, might be all forced to come out together and 
thus be compelled to mix and mingle more together. A side 
_ door on the east was, however, opened in later years. All 
around the house at convenient distances there were erected 
thirty or more little houses, which, to the stranger, presen- 
ted quite a singular appearance, to which the different fam- 
ilies resorted during the intermission between services, and 
where they partook of their lunch dianers. These were all 
_ destroyed during and after Kilpatrick’s raid. Nota vestige 
' of any of these is now to be seen. The old building still 
‘stands (1899), and considering its age, being now one 
hundred and seven years old, in a state of remarkable preser- 
Bes 2 vation, due to the fact of its frequent repairs, but chiefly 
from the fact that it was in the first instance built, as re- 
quired by contract, of the ‘“‘best wood.’”’ Time, however, is 
‘a beginning to do its work, and it will not be long ere this 
‘old sanctuary, venerable with years-and dear to :o many 
hearts, will become a thing of the past. 


RETREATS AND HOUSES OF WORSHIP. 


= - As the early colonists settled in the swampy region, it was 

: soon found necessary, as already stated, to go out to health- 

e ier localities during the summer months. In addition to 

a Sunbury upon the coast, to which many of the planters re- 
moved, there were other places farther in the interior to 
which they resorted. 


HISTORY OF MIDWAY CHURCH. ~ 


WALTHOURVILLE. 


As early perhaps as 1795, Mr. Andrew Walthour, having Pe 
a farm in that part of the district, began to spend the sickly 
portion of the year at what was then called the Sand Hills, SA 
now Walthourville. His example was followed by others, 
and by the early part of the present century there was ec A thal 
a little village formed. “4 at 
Among the early settlers may be mentioned the names of — i 
Andrew Walthour, after whom the place was called, John ee 
Bacon, General Daniel Stewart, Thomas Bacon, William I. 
Way, John Dunwody, Samuel Lewis, William Anderson, cy: 
Charlton Hines, Captain William Hughes, Dr. Samuel Ax- 
son, Thomas Quarterman, Joseph Hargroves, Joseph Way, , 
Mrs. John Stewart, William N. Way, Thomas Mallard, and — dn ee 


Ou 


others. ic 

As the population increased it became necessary to hater a i 
place of worship. There have been several of these. The ai 
first was a Union building erected about 1820, upon a piece a 4 


of ground donated by Mr. Andrew Walthour. A second 
Union building was put up in 1830 and dedicated by Drs. 
Stiles and Jones. This second building was first abandoned —__ 
by the Presbyterians and afterwards by the Baptists, ane 
was then rolled a short distance for an academy. 
The first Presbyterian house erected was built upon a te cP. 
given by Mr. W.Q. Baker, about 1845 and dedicated cies 
Dr. Axson. This house was destroyed by fire May 1, 1877. 
The second Presbyterian house was built and dedicated in 


July, 1878, the dedicatory sermon being preached by Dr. = 
Axson. It was erected upon ground purchased from the es- : 
tate of Walthour. This house was began bya storm in es 
August, 1881. ~ eee 3 


The present building was put up on the same spotin1884, 
and dedicated July of the same year. It may be here also ~ 
added that a small building was erected for the colored peo- 
ple, during the pastorate of Rev. R. Q. Mallard. 


a 
2 
om 
z 
° 
°o 
< 
== 
4 
~< 


or A PART oF 


LIB Ring 
COUNTY, 


FROM THE BEST AUTHORITIES 
COMMENCED May 1829. 


B- 


BY fhm thy eyo 


ZA OssABAW ISLAND. 


S 


ee 


fi 


RETREATS AND HOUSES OF WORSHIP. 229 


FLEMINGTON. 


_ As in the case of Walthourville and following their exam- 
_ ple, several of the members commenced settling at Gravel Hill, 
now Flemington, about 1814. Among the early settlers 
were William Fleming, after whom the place was named, 
John Osgood, Oliver Stevens, Peter Farly Winn, Joseph Nor- 
man, Simon Fraser, Major John Bacon, and Rev. Murdock 
Murphy, who lived near the place owned by Rev. E. Q. An- 


: drews. The first house built was of logs, erected at Ganey’s 
Hill and used both as a school house and place of worship. 


Previous to this, the little house used for magistrates’ court 
and for muster ground, was the place for occasional servi- 
ces. About 1836 a frame house was erected near the log 
house, which was still continued in use as a school house, 
and where the writer obtained most of his early education ; 


_ the framed school building, located on the opposite side of 


the road, being one night set on fire by someone and burned. 
This first church building had a shed around it, and a small 
belfry at the west end. The ground, some four acres, was 


given by Mr. Simon Fraser, sr. 


The present building was erected about 1851 and upon 
the same site as the other. The bell in the steeple is the one 
used at Midway so long, it having fallen to the Flemington 
people in the distribution of the effects of the old church. Its 
removal from the old steeple to its present resting place was 


_made quite an event in the history of that people. Very few 


objects have more sacred associations connected with them 


than that old church bell. 


JONESVILLE. 


’ The people in the lower portion of the district in their 


search after a healthy location crossed over Bulltown 
swamp and penetrated the piney woods some three miles, 
and there located their village. It was named Jonesville af- 
ter the first settler, Samuel Jones, and was located not far 
from the ranch of Moses Way, one of the early settlers, who 
had built a stockade for his cattle somewhere in that local- 


t 


- sit gloria mundi.”” The eloquent words of the youthful 


ae 


Paha ses ; 


pe 
230 _ HISTORY OF MIDWAY CHURCH. i 


ity, the country there furnishing excellent pi s Fe 
stock, with which the neighborhood abounded, and i 
the origin, I suppose, of the primitive, though not has 
sical name of the swamp near by. . 
Among the early settlers were Samuel Jones, John: w 
Louis LeConte, Nathaniel Varnedoe; and later, W. L. Jor 
Moses Jones, Thos. Sheppard, Mr. Deane, Edward Quarte 
man, T. W. Fleming, Capt. P. W. Fleming, Joseph Bacon, 
yore B. Barnard, and Dr. J. M. B. Harden. Here Dr. Axson 
spent the last years of his ministry among this people, Bent 
having first lived at Walthourville, until the burning of thers 
parsonage in that place. Until the time of the war it was a 
delightful village with about eighteen families, but like Sun- 
bury and some of the other dead towns of Georgia, its glory : 
is gone; its inhabitants scattered; its houses pulled down, . 
and soon to be a thing of the past, without even a single | 
vestige left to mark the spot. How appropriate and seem- 
ingly prophetic the subject of one of the addresses which the 
writer heard, and so well remembers, delivered at a school © 
exhibition in said alae in 1850, from the words “sic 


ator are still ringing in his ears, but the occasion, the aut 
ence, and the very lips that uttered them, are all now buried 
forever 1 in the silence of the tomb! 


DORCHESTER. 


S 
This place was settled in 1843. Upon the suggestion of : 
Rev. T. S. Winn, then a private teacher in the family of Dr. C. i z 
C. Jones, the propriety of settling upon a high and dry ridge, 
half way between Midway and Sunbury, was favorably — 
considered and several families soon after began to build. g 
Several owners of houses in Sunbury had them taken down — 4 
and removed to this newly formed village, which was called — ; 
Dorchester in commemoration of former places ofthatname. — se 
Among the early settlers I mention B. A. Busbee, Captain 
Abiel Winn, Captain Cyrus Mallard, W.S. Baker, Dr. Ed- — 
ward J. Delegal, William Thompson, Dr. Benjamin King, Be 
John L. Mallard; and later, Thomas Mallard, Benjamin Bia 2 


als, ae ; 
RETREATS AND HOUSES oF SroRSuIE. 


: ae bow ie a number of years, as aay special service 
ell as the Sabbath-school exercises, could be held in the 
lemy. A church building, however, was erected in 1854, 
and still stands. The lot of four acres, upon whichit stands, 
: was given by Mr. B. A. Busbee, the date of the deed being 
une 14,1852. At first the house was used only for sum- 


acy bell, which for so many years was used forso many 
different purposes; for school, market, church and town. 
Before the pulpit stands a still more precious relic, in the 
orm of a marble font, the gift of Dr. William McWhir, and 
vhich formerly stood in the old Midway church, at which 
any hundreds (including the writer), both whites and 


- city of London. 


CHAPTER XVII. 


SUNBURY.- 


As Sunbury was a place of great historic intern ina 4 
birthplace and home of so many of the Midway irople { 
worthy of more than a mere passing notice. 


termining. The rirohalniens is ice the name was given Dy 
Captain Carr himself and after a little town of the sam 
name upon the river Thames oe twenty miles from { 


The town thus located was divided into four birch it 
ninety-six lots, most of which were soon sold. It also 1 
three public squares respectively named King, Meeting, ; 
Church. On account of its nearness to the Midway ch 


= 


’ SUNBURY. 233 


only ten miles distant, it became the abode of quite a num- 
3 ber of the members and supporters of that church. It was 
__ also settled by people from Charleston and other places, and 
_ -at one time with quite a number from theisland of Bermuda. 
Hence the origin of the name Bermuda, the former name of 
the contiguous island which is now known as Colonel's Is- 
land.1 Having a good harbor and a fair back country to 
support it, Suvbury soon grew to bea flourishing town. A 
_ lucrative trade was also carried on with the West Indies. 
‘About the years 1769 and 1770,” says McCall, ‘‘it was 
thought by many, in point of commercial importance, to ri- 
val Savannah.”’ Healso states that seven square rigged 
_ vessels have been known to enter the port of Sunbury in one 
_ day.? As early as 1762 it was made by Governor Wright a 
port ofentry. At the beginning of the Revolutionary war, 
_ the time of its greatest prosperity, its population, both 
white and black, has been estimated at nearly a thousand.? 
Sunbury has been the home of many noted men, and the 
theatre of many stirring scenes. Here lived Dr. Lyman 
Hall, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, 
from whence he carried with him one hundred and sixty bar- 
__ rels of rice and sixty pounds sterling, the contribution of the 
citizens to their suffering compatriots at Boston. Here But- 
ton Gwinnett, another signer and Governor, though living 
on St. Catherine Island,4 spent a great deal of his time, off- 
cially, being a ‘‘Justice of St. John Parish,’ and socially, be- 
ing frequently a visitor at the home of Dr. Hall. Here, too, 


= 


Peete 


ar 


~ 


1. Until 1778 this island was called Bermuda, but after that, Colonel’s Island. So called 
= on account of the number of Colonels having lived upon it, there being, according to 
- tradition, as many as six of these, which wa3 quite remarkable as the island was small, 
4 not being more than two or three miles across. Who these Colonels were I bave been 
x unable thus far to find out. Col. Alexander Herron had a grant of land there. Cols. 
Sereyen, White, Elbert, Baker, Maxwell and McIntosh were all at different times at and 
about Sunbury, several of them owning plantations upon the island at the close of the 
war ; but whether these are the ones to whom this honor belongs, I am unable to say. 


2. MoCall’s His. Vol. I. page 256. 3. Jones’ His. Vol. I. P. 333. 


J 

= 4. This island was formerly the property of the Bosomworth’s, of whom Button 
‘ Gwinnett purchased it. It was deeded by the Crown in 1758 in settlement ofa claim of 
: Mrs. Mary Musgrove, a half-breed Indian, who was Oglethorpe’s interpreter, who, after 
the death of her husband, John Musgrove, married David Matthews, and after his death, 
Rey. Thomas Bosomworth, Oglethorpe’s chaplain. In the Session Book we find the 
name of Sarah Bosomworth among the members of Midway church, received 1768, who 
; was no doubt a near relative of Rev. Thomos Bosomworth, or his brother, Abraham. 
mg Thus showing the extensive influence of the old church, and which, taken in connection 
with the fact that St. Catherine formed a part of the parish of 35t. John, invests the mat- 
ter with sufficient interest to require this notice. 


5. White’s His. Coll. p. 39. 


HISTORY OF MIDWAY CHURCH. 3 te 

, tet 4 any: 
George Walton, the only other signer of the Declaration of — Be: 
Independence from Georgia, and afterwards governor, was 
sent as a prisoner of war, with other continental offices ta- 
ken at the fall of Savannah in 1778, he being wounded with 


a thigh broken, and paroled until his wound healed, and af 


234 


tae gee 


terwards there retained as a prisoner of war, until ex- 
changed. Here lived for several years Richard Howley and at 
Nathan Brownson, governors of Georgia, John Elliott and 
Alfred Cuthbert, United States senators, and John A. Cuth- — os 


bert, member of congress. Here was the home of Major 
John Jones, who fell in the siege of Savannah. Here lived — 
Major Lachlan McIntosh, the father of the Commodore, and. 
here the Commodore himself was born and also hissister, the — 
authoress, Miss Maria McIntosh. Here, also, was the birth- 
place of Hon. John E. Ward and Hon. William Law. And ~~ 
here the home of Dr. William McWhir, where he established 
his celebrated school known far and wide. 

Sunbury was also remarkable for its military record. This 
was the place of rendezvous for the forces of General Charles 
Lee in the expedition against Florida, planned by himself, in : 
1776. From hence was it that Col. Elbert embarked his 
troops in an expedition against St. Augustine, under the 
order of Button Gwinnett, in 1777. Here it was that in 
1778, after General Howe’s unsuccessful expedition to Flor- 
ida, Col. C. C. Pinckney returned with his troops to rest. 

It was here a little later in the same year that after the re- 
moval ot Cols. White and Elbert to Savannah, Col. John 
McIntosh being left in command of the fort, so courageously _ 
defended it against the attack of Col. Fuser, and to whom 
he returned the laconic answer, when demanding its surren- 

_ der, ‘‘Come and take it.’”! Poe wey 

But perhaps the thing that invests the place with the 
greatest interest is the fact that this was the last spot in 
Georgia to surrender, when the state was overrun by the 


wo 
ee he 


8 SVs b 


ty 


1. Col. Jones, in his History, Vol. I. p. 310,as wellas in his ‘Dead Towns,’ states 
that the State Legislature in recognition of his conspicuous bravery on this occasion, 
‘voted him a sword with the words ‘come and take it’ engraved thereon.” I have thus 
far been unable to find the evidence of this. In November, 1814, the Legislature voted 
a sword to Col. James S. McIntosh, the son of Col. John McIntosh, for gallant services 
rendered in the war of 1812, at Sandy Creek and other places about Lake Ontario, N. ¥ 
Iam of the opinion the two things have been inadvertently confused. 


Ae ee 


SUNBURY. 2a5 


British in 1778. It was not until Savannah had fallen and 
the forces withdrawn from Augusta, according to the order 


of General Howe,! that Sunbury surrendered to British su- 


premacy, and then not until overwhelmed with superior 
numbers. Let then the fact before alluded to in this work, be 
here again repeated, by way of emphasis, that the last spot 
upon Georgia soil where the old Colonial flag remained un- 
furled, and was seen floating in the breeze, was from the 
ramparts of the old fort of the old historic town of Sunbury! 


THE OLD FORT. 


A short sketch then of an object of such interest, and 
which still stands as an interesting relic of the past, cannot 
fail to interest. 

As early as 1756, in accordance with the request of Hon. 
Jonathan Bryan, one of his Majesty’s council of safety, and 
on account of a rumored invasion of the Indians, a number 
of the citizens went to Captain Carr’s and counseled about 


building a fort low down on the river, which was commenced 


September 20, 1756.2 

So also, according to the church record,-on July of the fol- 
lowing year, on account of fear of French privateers, citizens 
went to Sunbury and raised a couple of batteries and made 
carriages for eight small cannons, which Governor Ellis, in 
his tour of inspection March, 1758, was pleased to find 
completed, in connection with the fortification around Mid- 
way church. Whether this was the same location as that 
of the fort afterwards erected remains undetermined. It 
may, however be safely asserted that the heavy earthworks 
still standing just below the site of the town, and which 
constitute the fort so noted in history, was erected at the 
commencement of the Revolutionary war, and in accordance 
with the action of Congress ordering the construction and 
manning of two forts, one at Savannah and oneat Sunbury ; 
and as tradition has it, was built chiefly by the citizens of 
Bermuda (now Colonel’s Island) and principally by slave 


1. See report committee of investigation, Jones’ His. Vol. II., p. 333.. 2. Church 
Record. - : 


236 
labor. In honor of the captain commanding a company 


continental artillery raised for coast defense, it was named 
‘Fort Morris.” 


After the abandonment by General Howe of his acnodned % 
against St. Augustine in 1778, Col. John McIntosh was left — 


incommand. Col. Fuser, as already stated, made the at- 
tack upon it by water. According to agreement, Col. Pre- 
vost was expected at the same time to lead an assault by 
land. The delay of Fuser to reach Sunbury at the appointed 
time, caused by high winds, prevented the union of the two 
forces, and the defiant attitude of Col. McIntosh so intimi- 
dated Col. Fuser that he withdrew his fleet, and thus Sun- 
bury was saved at that time. It was only for ashort while, 


however. 


During the siege of Savannah a few weeks later by Col. 


Campbell, Col. McIntosh was ordered to that place, and 
Fort Morris left in chargé of Major Lane. General Howe, — 


after the fall of Savannah, ordered Major Lane to evacuate 


the fort and join the main army at Zubly’s Ferry in its re? 


treat to Carolina. But in disobedience to orders,and at the 


request of the citizens, he determined to remain and defend _ 


the place. In the meanwhile General Augustine Prevost, 


hearing of the arrival of Col. Campbell at Savannah, left St. 


Augustine with an army of about two thousand men, with 
a view ofjoining him. On his way he halted at Sunbury 


January 9th, and appearing before the fort demanded its — 


surrender. Major Lane at first refused, and endeavored to 


defend it; but soon finding his position untenable he was 


compelled to make an unconditional surrender of the entire 


garrison, consisting of seventeen commissioned officers, one 


hundred and ninety-five non-commissioned officers and pri- 
vates, together with stores and ammunition; also, with the 
loss of one captain and three men killed and seven wounded. 


After the surrender to the British, the fort was named by 


them Fort George, in honor of their Sovereign, and so con- 
tinued in name, and in the hands of the British until the 
close of the war. 

During the war of 1812-15 the fort was rchoieaet and re- 
modeled, under the direction of the Committee of Safety, and 


Een 


i 
a 


SUNBURY. 237 


by them named Fort Defense. Said committee of defense 
for Liberty county during the war consisted of General Dan- 
iel Stewart, William Fleming, John Winn, John Stacy, John 
Elliott, John Stevens, and Joseph Law, who had charge of the 
local defense, and who were authorized to call upon the cit- 
izens for any labor they might deem necessary. The garri- 
son in the fort was under the command of Hon. John A. 
Cuthbert. They were never, however, called into active 
service. ; 

This was the last time the old fort was ever used. Sun- 
bury having gone down, there no longer existed a necessity 
for the fort. 


DESCRIPTION. 
The old fort was located about three hundred and fifty 


_ yards outside the southern limits of Sunbury, at the bend of 


the river. The walls were earthwork, very substantially 
built, and include one acre of ground. The eastern face con- 
fronting the river was two hundred and seventy-five feet in 
length.1 The northern and southern faces, somewhat irreg- 
ular in shape, were respectively one hundred and ninety-one 
and one hundred and forty feet in length. The western wall, 
two hundred and forty feet long. The parapet, ten feet wide 
and six feet above the parade of the fort, its superior slope 
about twenty-five feet above the level of the river at high 
tide, with seven embrasures, each about five feet wide. Sur- 
rounding the whole a moat ten feet wide at the bottom and 
about twenty feet at the top. The sally port was in the 
middle of the western wall. 

The guns have all been removed. One was carried to 
Hinesville when the place was first laid off sixty years ago, 


-and has been often and long used on Fourth of July and 


other public occasions, and may still be seen lying in the 
court house yard in that place. Two of them were carried 
to Riceboro during the late war between the states, but no 
use was made of them. Two more were taken by Captain 


1. For these measurements | am indebted to ‘‘Dead Towns of Georgia,” by Col. C. C. 
Jones, Jr. 


‘you were told, you would never dream that you were stand — 


Lamar, and after being used as signal guns” 
were transported to Fort Bartow at Savannah, fell : 
to the hands of the Federals. Two more were left ‘yh 
buried in the soil of the parade ground, and a third in tk 
old field half way between tbe fort and the site of the tow 
These all have since been removed. At least the writer did 
not see them when he visited the spot, January, 1896. One 
of the two carried to Riceboro was removed by the late Col. oa 
C. C. Jones in 1880 to his home on the Sand Hills near Au ¢ 
gusta, Georgia, and now adorns the lawn in front of the: . 
residence which has passed into the hands of his son, Col. 
Charles Edgeworth Jones. This, and the one at Hinesville, _ ce 
are veritable and valuable relics, as they were without — ee 
doubt, of the number of those that took part in the lies 
of Georgia soil in Revolutionary times. 


ne 


GRAVE YARD. 


The grave yard at Sunbury, could it speak, could tell — * a 
much that would be interesting. But, unfortunately for us, $ 
there are but few monuments to be seen. The yard itself is” s a 
all grown up and forms part of the natural forest. Unless.” og 


ing over so many graves and many of them too, people of oe 
note. There are a few graves of modern date. These are sae 
enclosed and well cared for. The rest is all a thicket. In 
these woods lie buried, and may be seen, the tombs of Rev. 
Wm. McWhir, D. D., born in Ireland September 9.1759, 
died January 31, 1851; and his wife, Mary McWhir, born in — 

Liberty county September 27, 1757, and died at Springfield, _ 
near Sunbury, December 31,1819. Mrs. McWhir was the ~ 
widow of Col. John Baker, and was married before, being 


the widow of Col. Lapina when Col. Baker married her. . 
we 6 wit “ 

THE CHURCHES. “a 

* 

The Cee thing in connection with this notable wich On 


was the fewness of thechurches in connection withits popula-— 


1. “Dead Towny’’, p. 182. 


fat ~ 
: . fala F ’ ) 


SUNBURY. 239 


tion, and the utter want of religious advantages in propor- 


tion to its alleged size. There never has been a Methodist 
church in the:place. The Baptist church was not organized 


till 1806. The removal to Midway commenced in 1752. 


Sunbury was laid off in 1758, four years after. For fitty- 
four years, till the organization of the Baptist church in 


Paes ‘Sunbury, Midway was the only church inthecounty.1 How, 
~ then, were the Sunbury people supplied with the gospel? 


For a long time the early settlers depended entirely upon 
Midway, ten miles off. In 1763 we find that an effort was 


“ made to obtain the services of Rev. John Alexander to 


preach at Sunbury, as a kind of assistant to Mr. Osgood; 
and a little later we find that Mr. Edwards came over from 
Carolina, and for about two years resided at Sunbury as 
the assistant of Mr. Osgood. So we also find that later on 
Rey. Reuben Hitchcock, a Congregational minister, was 
located at Sunbury as teacher and preacher, having charge 
of the school and also preaching to the people, and that he 
contracted in 1791 to supply Midway church once in every 
three Sabbaths. And later still, that after Dr. McWhir’s 
settlement there in 1792, that he preached to the people as 
well as conducted the school. 

From hints given it would seem that if not an independent 
church there was a branch of Midway church there, as men- 
tion is made in the records, of authority being given Dr. 
McWhir to receive members (which he did) till a church 
should be organized there. 

So Rey. Jesse Campbell, in his life of Rev. C. O. Sieve 
says ‘“‘there was not a single Baptist church in the place, but 
there was a church of Congregational Presbyterians.’ 

Concerning the Congregational church at Sunbury, we 
find the charter was granted March 20, 1790, at Augusta, 
by Governor Telfair, with the following named Select Men: 
Francis Coddington, David Rees, James Powell and John 
Lawson, who had erected a place of worship, and ‘‘declared 
to be a body corporate, by the name of and style of The 
Congregational Society of Sunbury;” the above “‘to hold 


1. The Olivet Methodist church was organized 1826. 2. Bap. His., P. 40. 


of 


HISTORY oF wiDWAY cE 


LU 


office till the ‘Brat Moning in March nex 
the members ane supporters of the gospel shal 


¢ 


elect successors.’ ( State Archives Book ba 


feeder to Midway. Very much aa the pies 
of which the Rev. Stephen A. Hoyt was said to be 


with the Midway congregation, and what ‘an int 


e strong hold the old church must have had upon = re 
Soh of that place. 


PRESENT CONDITION. a ey 


: After Sunbury fell into the hands of the British, 
portion of it was burned.!_ From that shock it ne 
ered. Proving unhealthy and its commerce i 


| visited the eos in 1896, as above stated, there \ 
mee : old dwelling standing, janie by some fishermen 
soph a cotton field. Since then that house has been remo 
that to-day there is not a single vestige of the old to if 

ae It is sad indeed to think that a town once of the 
ae importance of this, and the scene of so many ‘incidents 
occurrences Sheil now be nothing more than a cal 


gett Like Pompeii of old, the whole now lies ee 
neath the ashes of years, bat unlike oa utterly 
the hope of future exhumation. 


1. Rees. Cy. Art. Sunbury. 


REMOVAL OF REMAINS OF COMMODORE MCINTOSH. 241 


REMOVAL OF THE REMAINS OF COMMO- 


DORE JAMES M. McINTOSH. 


Whilst Sunbury had interesting associations connected 
with it while living, it likewise has some tender memories 
clustering around it even since dead. For here was the scene 
of the formal reception, in the spring of 1861, of the remains 


/ of one of her own, as well as state’s gallant dead. 


Commodore James Mackay McIntosh, the son of Major 
Lachlan McIntosh, and grand nephew of General Lachlan 
McIntosh, died at Pensacola, Florida, September 1, 1860. 
In December following the Legislature of Georgia ordered 
that his remains should be removed, at her expense, and 
buried upon her own soil, at any place his relatives might 
choose. In accordance with this action, they were removed 
from Pensacola and conveyed, in charge of his nephew, 
Lachlan McIntosh, by rail to Savannah, and from thence, 
in company with a few relatives and friends, to Sunbury on 
board the steamer Everglade, employed for the occasion by 
Captain J. M. Kell, who was at that time Commander of 
the steamer Savannah for coast defense. They reached Sun- 
bury on Tuesday, April 16, 1861, and then and there were 
formally surrendered to the Liberty Independent Troop to 
be escorted by them to the Midway grave yard, the place 
selected for their final resting place. On receiving the trust, 
Mr. W.C. Stevens, a member of the company, and in be- 
half of the same, delivered the following address: 


ee ADDRESS OF MR. W. C. STEVENS. 
; Captain Kell :—Permit me, as the organ of the Liberty 


‘Independent Troop, to express to you their just appreciation 


of the service which brings you to these shores, and their 
heartfelt co-operation in the funeral obsequies of the occa- 
sion. In the social relations of life, loved and esteemed by 
his friends for his kindness of heart and manly qualities, 
Commodore McIntosh was to most of us personally un- 
known; but history has recorded his public career, and his 


which is the just tribute to merit. By reference ae an 


the United States in September, 1811, and for a period — 
forty-nine years continued in the active exercise of different 
vocations, passing through the various grades of service: 
Midshipman, Passed Midshipman, Master, Lieutenant and 
Captain, as rapidly as the regulations of the naval service - 


cerpt of his life, we find that he entered the naval service of : 


would admit. Although never engaged in actual nostiieee ; 


(if we except the first period of initiation into service) we a 
find him, during a reign of general national prosperity, em- 
ployed in offices of important trust and great responsibility,  _ 
requiring the exercise of sound judgment and a character 


distinguished for fearlessness of danger. In 1821 he was at- 
_ tached to an expedition under Captain Kerney, for the ex- 


termination of the pirates on the West Indiacoast. In1851, 


after receiving his commission with the rank of Captain, he 
was ordered to the command of the United States frigate 


Congress, attached to the Brazil squadron, under the com- — : Re 
mand of Commodore McKeever. Soon after this he was 


removed to the command of the naval station at Sackett’s 
harbor, where he remained until 1857, when, by order of the 
President of the United States, he became flag officer of the 


home squadron. Thiscommand was conferred at a time __ 


when British fleets in southern waters became exceedingly 


insolent and troublesome, by attempting to board and 
search American vessels; but by prejudice, judgment, digni- 


fied courtesy and firm determination, he vindicated and 


= 4 


maintained the position his country had ever taken against — 


the right of search, and received for his conduct her unqual-_ 

ified approbation. Subsequent to this period Commodore — 
McIntosh was placed in command of the navy yard Pensa~- _ 
cola, in which station he expired on the first of September, : 


1860. 
Here closed his earthly career, almost up to the dissolu- 


tion of the old government, which he had always served et 
with fidelity and honor, and upon the eve of a great and 


wondrous revolution. Had Commodore McIntosh survived. 


to behold the light of this day, it is not difficult to say what — 


i 


REMOVAL OF REMAINS OF COMMODORE MC’INTOSH. 243 


= 


- would have been his position in the recent inauguration of 
political events. Had he lived to behold the Confederate 
flag of these Southern states thrown proudly and defiantly 


to the breeze, his ardent and true Southern heart would too 
surely have reflected the sentiment of its emblematic colors, 
valor, purity and truth. But, sir, while we may regret the 


- necessity that sunders the bonds of earthly existence, and 


view with sorrow from ‘‘Life’s shining circle its gems drop 
away,’’ we must bend to an inexorable fate and bow with 
submission to the will of Providence. 


“The boast of heraldry, the pomp of power, 
All that beauty, all that wealth e’er gave, 
Await alike the inevitable hour, 
The path of glory leads but to the grave.” 


And now, sir, with hearts alive to the duties of the occa- 
sion, we bid you welcome here, and thrice welcome the re- 
mains of the gallant Commodore James McKay McIntosh 
to a final interment in the soil of his native state and in the 
county of his birth.” 


To which Captain Kell made the following response: 


RESPONSE OF CAPTAIN KELL. 


Gentlemen of the Liberty Independent Troop, and Fellow 


- Citizens of Liberty County :—In behalf of the widow and 


children and the relatives of the deceased, I tender you their 
warm and heartfelt acknowledgments of the consideration 
and respect thus shown to his memory. 

It would have been a satisfaction (melancholy, it is true) 
to his old comrade in arms and brother-friend, the gallant 


Tatnall, to have responded to the kind words that have 


been spoken. It was his intention and earnest desire to ac- 
company the remains of his deceased friend to their last 


" resting place; but danger threatens our people and hestands 


at his post to meet it. His duty to his country alone pre- 


vents his being here, and I know that the noble spirit of his 


late comrade looks down from aloft with responsive sym- 
pathy and approval. Again do I thank you in behalf of the 
family and friends of the gallant departed, and beg leave to 


present as one of his sclatiees my own warn 
of Sada eae apn and considers tion 2’ ot ehh 


the interment an impressive and appropriate pray: 
fered by Rev. C. C. Jones, D. D., after which a wrea 
ses and olive branches, pied by the hands of N 
Jones, was suspended from the headstone of the s gra 
there beside his relatives this gallant officer lies slee; 
last sleep.' ; 


CHAPTER XVIII. 
__-« LECONTE PEAR TREE AND TEA CUL’ 


‘LECONTE PEAR TREE. 


_ of the origin of this remarkable fruit tree has beaks 
from Judge John L. Harden, a seguen descendant ‘ 
are ee  tamily: uy 
aoe “The history of the LeConte pear is as follows : r 


3 a nurseryman of New York, B cig all pear tree. "Heweae 
ae by Mr. Hogg that the fruit was of inferior quality, 
: only for preserving; that it would not ‘mature its oe 


1. The above account was taken from the Savannah Mornin the. a 
which has been kindly. furnished me by the family of Captain Kell. Pe 


LECONTE PEAR TREE. 245 


that it was the Chinese Sand Pear. The tree was given to 
_my mother and whenit grew large enough, it produced 
fruit which, to our surprise, was of excellent quality. It is 
productive and vigorous. The original tree is forty-five 
years old (in 1895), and is still productive and vigorous, al- 
though sadly neglected. It has borne twenty bushels in one 
year, after allowing for all that may have been stolen.” 

At the close of the late war, the people in Liberty county 
were all broken up and quite a number of them emigrated 
to southwestern Georgia. Among them was Col. Leander 
L. Varnedoe, a native of the county and a member of the 
old church. Upon the suggestion of his uncle, Mr. William 
Jones, that the tree might be propagated from the cutting, 
and that the fruit might be profitably raised in southwestern 
Georgia, whither he had moved, he secured quite a number 
of cuttings and took them with him and planted them at 
his home near Thomasville, and was soon delighted to see 
that the idea was a happy one, for he soon had an orchard 
of vigorous trees, yielding abundantly of luscious marketa- 
ble fruit. Cuttings soon became in great demand; and from 
that little beginning the whole southern country has been 
covered with these trees. Many have made not only livings, 
but even fortunes of the same. 

To give some idea of the impoverished condition of this 
people at the close of the war, and also what a happy hit 
was the idea of promoting the cultivation of this pear 
from cuttings, I relate the following incident: 

On the return of Col. Varnedoe from the war, it is said 
that his first bill of fare was so poor and uninviting that he 
jocosely remarked to his wife: ‘‘Annie, if you can, you may, 
but I can’t say grace over such a dinner.” 

A few years after his removal to Thomasville he was of- 
fered ten thousand dollars cash for his pear farm, which he 
very wisely refused. 

The old mother tree, from which the millions now in culti- 
vation all over this southland have sprung, is still standing, 
and was in a flourishing condition, when the writer visited 
ita year ago. Itis now fifty years old, and has never 
shown any symptoms of “blight’’ until a few years since, 


246 HISTORY OF MIDWAY CHURCH. 


when it had a slight attack, from which it seems to have re- 
covered. The tree is sixty inches in circumference and about 


Pbriy -- 


twenty- four 


feetin height. — 


-. 
= 
ta: 


The accom- 


Sey, 


from a ko- 


taken by the ee 
writer atthe 
time of his 
visit, will 
give some 
idea of its 
present ap- 
pearance. A 


tree of such 
renown is 
worthy, not only of honorable mention, but a conspicuous — 
place in such a collection as this. 2 


THE OLD LECONTE PEAR TREE. 


TEA CULTURE. 


A short while before the late civil war, Mr. William Jones © 
directed his attention to the cultivation of the teaplaut,and 
had a small space planted. The war coming on interfered — 
with the development of the scheme. After its close, and up- 
on the death of Mr. Jones his daughter, Mrs. Rosa Screven, 
took up the work and was making of it an encouraging suc- 
cess. In 1879 Mr. John Jackson, of Scotland, who had been 
general manager of an English company in the raising and 
manufacturing of tea in India for fifteen years, and who, on 
account of the health of his wife had returned to Scotland, 
came over to the United States. On arriving at Washington 
City, among his investigations he found a record of tea cult- 
ure, by Mrs. Rosa Screven, of Liberty county, Georgia, he 


panying cut 


dak picture, 


OR ANE VST SO On 


TEA CULTURE. 247 -— 


at once went to Liberty county and found that the plants 

on Mr. Jones’ place were well developed and thriving on the 

rich alluvial soil, which seemed so well adaptedtothem. He 

rented a portion of the farm and commenced at once the 

raising and manufacturing of tea. He had a chest made out 
of the tea wood, with compartments in it for the different 

grades, and sent the same to Mr. DeLuc, then commission- 
er of agriculture at Washington, who at once sent the speci- 
mens with an agent to New York to be tested by the ex- 
perts of three large importing houses of that city, who pro- 
nounced it equal to any of the same grades of India tea and 
who could hadly be persuaded that it was not imported tea, 
or that the chest was made of tea wood raised in this coun- 
try. 

Mr. DeLuc at once sought an appropriation of the gov-- 
ernment, by way of testing it, and obtained $30,000 for the 
purpose, but for some reason, chiefly perhaps on account of 
health, the farm was not located in Georgia, but near Sum- 
merviile, South Carolina, though put under the direction of 
Mr. Jackson. Barrels of tea seed were ordered at once from 
India and thousands of plants started. After one year’s 
experiment, Mr. Jackson being satisfied that the culture 
‘would be a success, concluded also to havea farm of hisown, 
and commenced planting out a farm on the Jones planta- 
tion in Liberty county, and soon had thirty acres of plants 
of vigorous growth. About this time the government 
changed hands; another party coming in power, Mr. De 
Luc was removed and General Loring coming in his place, 
ordered the enterprise abandoned. Mr. Jackson, having all 
his capital invested in the Liber ty county farm and not be- 
ing able to carry on the business alone, sought the assist- 
ance of capitalists in Savannah, New York and Philadelphia, 
but failed, and was therefore compelled to suspend opera- 
tions. Thus ended an enterprise which to Mr. Jackson’s 
mind could have been made a thorough success. 

In addition to the interest clustering around the matter 
there is also additional interest excited by the scientific prin- 
ciple involved in the construction of the house erected by 
Mr. Jackson, and in which he lived. The principal objection 


to the location was its unhealthiness, being in a low 
rial region. Mr. Jackson eres that the malarial str. 
unobstructed, would 
not rise above twenty ‘ 
likes feet and therefore 
‘sought to overcome 
4 the same by mat 
l¢ his house above bison 
,height. He built a 
, two room house upon — 
ie sills embedded six feet © 
Sin the ground, with — 
heavy timbers resting = 
upon them, and ex-  — 
tending upinanangu- 
lar direction some for- 
ty-two feet and an- 
chored at the corners 
- with wire cables, as appears from the cut. The experiment 
seemed to be quite a success, and to establish Mr. jack=oer 

theory, as appears from the fact that himself and wife spent 

three summers there with entire immunity from sickness, 
while the colored people who lived below were sie ae 

chills and fevers and bilious attacks. This high house stood 

the heavy storm of 1881 with firmness and a though 

it has since fallen through exposure and decay." 


THE JACKSON HOUSE. 


1. Iam indebted to Mr. R. Q. Cassels, of Liberty county, at whose honse Mr. Jack 
son was for some time a guest, for the facts stated above. 


- ¥ 620 3 Pes eae 


>- s ag 


THE AFTER HISTORY. 249 


CHAPTER XIX. 


® THE AFTER HISTORY. 


Soon after the war, it being obvious that the church build- 
‘ing, if left without proper care and attention, would soon 
go to ruin, in obedience to a public call a number of the 
rightholders met and appointed Messrs. J. B. Mallard, Ezra 
Stacy and L. J. Mallard trustees, in whose hands and care 
the building and property were left. These trustees met and 
leased the building to the colored people, the only pay re- 
quired being the keeping the building in repairs and the cem- 
-etery in order. They also made a division of the commun- 
ion service and other articles possessed by the old church in- 
to three parts, one for each of the retreats. The things to 
_ be distributed were the Bell, the Marble Font, two Silver 
Tankards,four Silver Baskets, and four Communion Cups. 
Upon inquiry I find that Dorchester has at present the mar- 
ble fount, the gift of Dr. William McWhir; one tankard, the 
gift of John Lambert; one basket and one goblet, the gift 
of S. Monroe, Esq. Flemington has the bell, one tankard 
and two goblets, the gift of John Lambert, and two bas- 
kets; but Walthourville has received nothing. What has 
become of the remaining goblet and basket, nobody seems 
to know. Some think they were destroyed in the house of 
Mr. John B. Mallard, when burned; but being solid silver 
the remains would have been found in the debris; others, 
that they were taken by the Federal soldiers, but no one 
can tell when or where. At the annual meeting in March, 
1889, in the report of the Select Men, it was stated that the 
portion assigned Walthourville had been placed in the keep- 
ing of Dorchester; but upon what authority the statement 


© a 


rests, I have been unable to discover. It is just one 
cases of mysterious disappearance which pechanaontes 
be explained in this life. 

At a later meeting of the trustees about July 1, 1875, Mr. Fy. 
T. Q. Cassels being in the place of Mr. J. B. Mallard, ee 
signed, the church building was again leased to the colored | 
people at the nominal sum of one dollar per annum for reli. 
gious worship, they also agreeing to keep it in repair, and 
also to work out the cemetery twice every year; and also, — 
at the same time for school purposes, for the sum of fifty dol- 
lars a year for fifteen years. , . 

At the call of the trustees, a number of rightholders met : 
at Midway November 7, 1877, to consider the propriety of = 
selling the building, which proposition was carried in the — 
affirmative and the trustees were authorized to sell thesame, — “§ 
the proceeds to be put in some safe investment, the interest | a 
of which only, was to be used in keeping up the graveyard. 4 
This, however, was never done. be 


MEETING OF THE SOCIETY. 


Ten years after this the society met again March 9, 1887, 
for the first time in twenty years, the building being “7 
in the hands of the colored people, and has been meeting an- 
nually ever since. On account of the smallness of the mem-_ 
bership, ladies were allowed from that meeting and since to — ; 
sign the articles of incorporation. The object of these meet- _ 
ings being more of the nature of a reunion, whilst formally 
exercising control over the property and ‘keeps in order ; 
the resting place of the dead. For this purpose pig vag 
association’’ was organized at the annual meeting in 1892. © 

At the next meeting, in 1893, it was resolved that hereafter _ 
the preaching of a sermon, followed by the administration ; 
of the Lord’s Supper, shall be a part of the regular order of — 
exercises. Accordingly at the next annual meeting in — 
March, 1894, a sermon was preached by the Rey. James 
Stacy, D. D., followed by the administration of the Sacra- — 
ment of the Supper, and which has been the custom since. __ 

At the same meeting the Society ratified the contract 


~ 


THE AFTER HISTORY. 251 


& of the select men, in leasing the house again to the colored 
yo _ people for another term of twenty years, to be used only for 
= religious purposes. But through some misunderstanding or 
: dissatisfaction, the lease was not carried out. For the col- 

ored people having already had a school house for a number 

‘ of years, erected the next year(1895) and near by, ahouse of 
oe worship of their own; since which time the old building has 
; stood unoccupied, being used only at the annual reunions. 

The following are the names of all those who have sub- 
scribed to the articles since the reorganization of the Society 


in 1887: 


. M. King, 
eo: Harden, 
LP. Miller, 

. A. Quarterman, 
‘Be Martin, 
. C. Norman, 

. Macon Way, 

. A. Jones, 
e 


> 


oo Winn, 

ph B. Fraser, 
x S. Quarterman, 
V. J. Norman, 

L. B. Rahn, 

James B. Fraser, 
Chas. A. Cay, 

Jno. W. Winn, 
Edgar B. Way, 
Robert Q. Cassels, 
J. B. Way, 

Chas. J. Martin, 

W. Julian Way, 

L. S. Norman, 
Gilbert A. Bailey, 
M. A. Montgomery, 


n 


Bor kgs 
oO 


W. J. Way, 

A. L. Norman, 

H. H. Jones, 

James Stacy, 

W.H. Quarterman, 
Charles C. Jones, Jr., 
R. Q. Way, 


RECENT SUBSCRIBERS. 


1887. 


P. W. P. Waite, 
John Axtell, 

A. H. Waite, 

W. John Way, 
Jno. B. Mallard, 
E, M. Screven, 
Miss Lizzie Winn, 
W. A. Fleming, 

T. G. Stacy, 

Sallie P. Norman, 
Gussie J. Reppard, 
Hattie L. Norman, 
Lizzie M. Fraser, 
Louisa A. Martin, 
L. Isabel Norman, 
Ann P. Barnard, 
Caroline A. Fleming, 
Mary S. Mell, 
Annie E. Winn, 
Julia V. Stevens, 


Mrs. Sarah W. Mallard, 


Alice G. Cassels, 
Winnie Mallard, 


1889. 


Susan C. Way, 

N. P. Quarterman, 
B. L. Baker, 

H. C. Norman, 

L. Quarterman, 

S. Dowse Bradwell, 


Eva Way, 

Anna Way, 

Lila Way, 

Selah B. Trask, 
Eula Way, 

Ellen Way, 
Florence Way, 
Maggie Fleming, 
Maria Louisa Stacy, 
E. C. Miller, 

Helen L. Quarterman, 
E. Rosalie Reppard, 
Susan W. Norman, 
Lula A. Norman, 
Toulou W. Bacon, 
Sallie Lou Way, 
Lizzie O. Winn, 
Louisa V. Winn, 
Anna S. Fleming, 
Susie A. Winn, 
Julia M. Winn, 

A. S. Way, 

Leonora E. Trask. 


May Belle Bradwell, 
Cora Cassels, 
Georgia A. Cassels, 
Mary J. Martin, 
Ann C. Quarterman, 
A. B. Way. 


JS 
Rosalie C. Beckett, 
R. Frank Cassels, 
Ora M. Bradwell, 
Sallie L. Varnedoe, 


. Mathews, 


Jas. N. Quarterman, 
Mary C. Hopkins, 
Mrs. L. E. Buttolph, 
Sallie L. Mallard, 


Sallie Mallard, 
M. C. Reppard, 
M. FE. Middleton, 


P. F. Martin, 


the address. 


Claude Quarterm’n Perry, A. G. Cassels, 


Ellen B. Fleming, 


liza Quarterman, Susie Cassels, 


John Jones, 
Mary A. N. Beckett, 
James T. H. Waite, 


Annie Agnes Waite, 


1891. 


D. L. Buttolph, 
Mrs. S. L. Fleming, 
Mamie C. Martin, 


-~ 


1892. 
E. W. Way. 
1893. 


Susie L. Reppard, 


1894. 
Daisy Walker, 
1898. 


' R. M. Martin. 


AFTERWARDS. 


all the necessary ocegeiese: for the occasion. / 
dingly they arranged with Col. C. C. Jones, Jr., to de keer 
When the day arrived the weather was so in- 
clement, it raining all the time, there were hardly more 
a score of eae —— the writer being one BS: 


Rebeted Fee 
Alfred I. _Hendr. - 


, swt * 
Nellie Alexander. ¢ w 


R.H. Walthour. 


E. Me Mastiag oe 


RELAYING THE CORNER STONE. 253 


pone the exercises until the 8th of the next month, and the 
Independent Troop be requested to take charge of the cere- 
mony and conduct the same. Col. C. C. Jones, however, 
delivered his address, which was listened to with profound 
interest by those who were present, and who showed their 
appreciation by having the same published. 

In accordance with the above action, on the morning of 
May 8, 1889, the people reassembled, the Liberty Troop be- 
ing present and also the Liberty Guards, another volunteer 
company of the county, who had been invited to be present 
and take part in the exercises. The former was commanded 
by Captain E. P. Miller and the latter by Captain J. M. 
Darsey. 

The column formed in the Sunbury road in the following 
order: 

Liberty Independent Troop. 

Liberty Guards. 

Select Men with Badges. 

Citizens. © 

The column marched west until nearly opposite the door 
of the church, turned to the right and then to the left, be- 
tween the place the corner stone was to be laid, the military 
passing around to the south and east of the place the cor- 
ner stone was to rest, facing north and west, and the mem- 
bers of the Society facing south. The corner stone was then 
laid by Captain W. A. Fleming. 

Upon the sealing of the stone private A. S. Way, of the 
Liberty Independert Troop, read two odes composed by the 
late Rev. Samuel J. Cassels, and in addition delivered an el- 
oquent and appropriate address, which was listened to 
with profound attention, and the same ordered to be pub- 
lished in the Hinesville Gazette and Brunswick Advertiser 
and Appeal.' 


1. See Records. 


aoe es a 


to 
Se 


me 


desolation reigns supreme. All the spite rich plates 
the lower portion of the county have been. ahandiaeas 


and bushes. Where once stood fine reidewese the at 
- wealth and refinement, now may be seen little h , the 
homes of squalor and wretched poverty. All of the old cit i 
izens who could well get away have gone. I seriously di 
whether a half dozen white families could now ry 
within four or five miles of the old church. The co 
to-day very much in the condition of the once pro; 
land of Judea, entirely stripped of her former presti 
glory. And the stranger visiting the community 
but be painfully impressed with the ever recurring 
Is this the place and these the eacople we have pee. 
about? 


the war? And sail may not the people return to tk 

as their forefathers did, after the first invasion avd de 
tion by the British? And why may not the same 
be utilized and made to produce as formerly? The « 
nation is soon given: On account of the sickliness Bt that — 


PRESENT CONDITION AND OUTLOOK. 955 


months, with any assurance of health. For this reason 
_ white overseers were never employed. The plan was to se- 
lect some intelligent trusty colored man and make him fore- 
man, entrusting the keys and leaving directions with him. 
As the country is level and the roads straight and smooth, 
the land owners could live with their families five or six 
miles away, or even more, from their farms, visit them in the 
_ day time and return at night to their homes. The foreman 
or “‘driver,’’ as usually termed, would oversee the work and 
see that the directions of the owner were carried out during 
his absence. But the case is entirely different now. The 
colored man will have no colored boss or foreman over him, 
and the land owner must either live upon the farm through 
the sickly season and jeopardize his own life and that of his 
family, or else turn the whole thing over to the negroes. 
And any one at all familiar with the general character and 
habits of that people, will require no vigorous imagination 
to forecast the result. Wethen can readily see why the 
land in the lower half of the county around the old church 
should so depreciate in value as to become almost worthless. 
Whether the future will bring any relief, we can not say. 
- Of this, however, we feel sure, that the present offers none. 
Under such environments and with such a gloomy outlook 
before them, the owners of land have been selling their farms 
in small parcels to the colored people at mere nominal val- 
ues, aud the prospect at present is that, sooner or later, that 
whole section will be owned by the people of that race; and 
whether, when thus completely under their domination and 
control, they will be equal to the task of reclaiming, improv- 
ing and developing the same is a problem the future alone 
can solve. 

As already stated, the Northern Congregationalists have 
established a large and seemingly flourishing institution in 
a few miles of the old church, and are laboring to elevate 
that people to a higher intellectual, social. and religious 
plane. In these special lines they may have achieved much, 

but to the outsider and mere looker-on there seems thus far 
to be very little, if any improvement in the department of 
agriculture, or any signs of an outward, visible progress. 


256 HISTORY OF MIDWAY CHURCH. 


That part of the country presents the same neglected, forlot 
condition to-day that it has for the past thirty years at | 
more, since the time of emancipation. Indeed the trend, ae e 
anything, seems rather in the direction of further degeneracy — 4 
and ruin. acs ae 


WHY DEALT WITH THEM THUS? 


The question then may here very properly be raised, why at 
has the Lord dealt thus with His people? If so faithful to  __ 
their trust and so zealous in His service, why visit 
them with such misfortunes and cause them to drink the 
cup of sorrow to its bitter dregs? I know of no better an- 
swer to this inquiry than by here copying an extract from a 
sermon preached by the writer at the annual celebration of — 
the Society of the old church in May, 1889: 

‘You have no doubt already made an application of this 
subject to our present surroundings. This people have for 
years been confronted with a sad and mysterious providence. 

A picture has been presented for their contemplation, with 
lines deeply drawn, with alternate lights and shadows, and 
calling alike for thanksgiving and sadness ; thanksgiving for — 
the past, sadness for the present, and over the whole, for a — 
coronal of hope, the dim bow of promise. When we look 
around and see the desolation, where once all was bright — 
and fair; when fond memory brings to light the brighter — 
scenes of other days; when we remember the unwonted piety — 
and zeal of our ancestors who worshipped here at these sa- _— 
cred shrines, and recall the great blessings vouchsafed unto : 
them in the past, and the wonderful prosperity with which ~ 
this church was for generations so richly crowned; when we 
consider the noble work she has so nobly done, the many 
precious souls saved through her instrumentality, and the 
multitude of whom it shall be said at the final count, when 

God shall write up his people, ‘This and that man was born 

in her.’; the many ministers she has sent out, among them 
missionaries to foreign fields; the many prominent, influen- — 
tial useful men she has given the state and world, among 
them Governors, Congressmen, Signers of the Declaration 


PRESENT CONDITION AND OUTLOOK. 257 


of Independence, Professors, Teachers, Presidents of Insti- 
tutions of learning, to say nothing of the numerous hosts of 
‘pious men and women she has reared to adorn the private 
walks of life; when we call to mind her great zeal and inter- 
est in the religious training of the colored people,’ her strict 
observance of the Sabbath day, her numerous charities, her 
liberal contributions to the various causes of benevolence 
and religion, and her unswerving opposition to the liquor 
traffic, that powerful foe of the church and unmitigated 
curse of the world; when we consider all these things, and 
then contrast them with her present condition; her altars 
deserted, her sacrificial fires gone out, her house of worship 
fast going to decay, her once happy homes abandoned and 
her people scattered abroad, we naturally raise the question, 
why isit thus? Why these reverses, this revolution, this 
decay ? 

“For an answer, we repeat the aphorism already given: 
‘All sunshine makes the desert.’ The discipline of earth is 
but the admixture of victories and defeats, of alternate 
marches and retreats. It is necessary that clouds and dark- 
ness, be interspersed with light, disappointments and draw- 
backs be mixed with success. The frosts of winter, the ge- 
nial months of spring, the withered leaves around the ri- 
pened grain, all are needed in their several places. Such is 
the weakness of human nature, that uninterrupted, out- 
ward prosperity would soon cause any people to be puffed 
up with the idea of their own greatness and goodness, their 
superior sagacity and wisdom. Like the Jews of old, they 
would soon begin to arrogate to themselves the high pre- 
rogative of being in an especial sense the people of God, and 
therefore to look down with haughty disdain upon their 
less fortunate neighbors. It might be that this people were 
drifting into a sentiment of that kind which the Lord saw 
necessary to rebuke. 


1. I here mention two facts omitted in their proper place. (1). The first is that the 
church at one time, 1833, contracted with, and paid Mr. Eugene Bacon, for the hire of 
bis servant, sam, a colored minister and watchman furnishing him with food and 
clothing, and also a horse, that he might give himself wholly to ministerial work among 
the people of his own color. (2). The second is, that later on, in 1838, as they need- 
ed the presence of Tony Stevens, another colored minister and watchman, at the 
meeting of the Church Session, they agreed to pay his owner for all the time lost from 
the farm, whilst attending such meetings in the week days. A thing wholly unheard of 
elsewhere. ? 


HISTORY OF MIDWAY CHURCH. 


“Or it might be that the object of these visitations 
prevent further degeneracy in another direction. ; 
as this people were shut out from the rest of the world th 
maintained their primitive simplicity of religious belief 2 
practice, which was the foundation of their past achieve- _ : 
ments. But with building of the railroad, and the intro. Bs 
duction of foreign influences, began also the gradual but cer- 
tain departure from the puritan strictness and piety of their 
faithful ancestry. Like the ship loosed from its moorings, — 
they were beginning to drift out upon the tide of an in- 
creasing worldliness, and some such disaster or reverse 
seemed necessary to arrest further spiritual degeneracy and — ae 
decline. Even as God in mercy sends death to remove the i = 
aged and infirm before they present the revolting picture of © £2 7 
utter imbecility and wasted manhood, so it might be that — ‘ 
this church was cut off in its prime, and its record sealed up 


a 
“% 
ao 


before the world should witness the sad spectacle of spirit- __ 
ual decay, and her past history in any way marred by the a 
acts of her degenerate sons. . 3 
‘Another and better reason is, that her work was ened * 
and the time for her removal come. ‘First the blade, then os 
the ear, then the full corn in the ear; and afterwards he put-— bi 
teth in the sickle, for the harvest is come.’ The sickle is as 
important an implement of agriculture as the harrow or — f 


plow. Communities and nations, like individuals, have — 
an allotted time for fruitage and when that time is past the 
sickle is put in to prepare for another sowing. No two 
blades of grass, no two rivers, no two sunsets, no two ex- 
periences, no two lives, no two deaths, are the same, nor 
yet have any two generations the same work to, perform. 
When one finishes its mission it is removed and another ~~ 
raised up to take its place. And should this old church ee Ros 
an exception to the rule? pee ne 
‘‘And though our hearts are saddened to-day by the evi- ae 
dences of decay surrounding us, may we not find comfort in — 4 
the precious truth that life comes out of death? The decay-— 
ing tree perpetuates itself from the scions springing up from 
its roots. Man dies but lives in his works which follow, and — 
his children who come after him. Joshua succeedes Moses — 


e 
oat 
nj 

: 


. 


55 


: / RPS 
aa TW, Pee I, totes 
VOM Ur athe ma,’ ay ait} 


” 
t 
‘yal a 


WHY THUS? ‘ 259 


in the leadership of Israel. Elisha receives the mantle of the 


_ascending Elijah. The patriarchal dispensation gives place 


to the Jewish, the Jewish to the Christian, and the Christian 
is yet to yield to the Heavenly. Old Midway is not really 
dead, but only changed its form, only metamorphosed in 
her outer life. She still livesin her children. In her three 
fair daughters, Dorchester, Walthourville and Flemington, 
and her four equally vigorous and active children of Afric 
hue, Medway, Midway Congregational, Riceboro and Eb- 
enezer, seven living organizations instead of one, seven cen- 
tres of influence in the place of one single centre of radiation. 

‘She also lives in her many sons and daughters scattered 
everywhere, like precious seed, to form the nucleus ofchurch- 
es in different and distant places. ‘The blood of the mar- 
tyrs’ has always been ‘the seed of the church.’ The persecu- 
tion in the days of Stephen caused the gospel to spread, be- 
ing everywhere preached by the refugees. So the dispersion 
of this people has caused them to enter everywhere into the 
fabric of church and state, carrying their principles and im- 
pressing the influence of the old church, and making her pow- 
er more widely felt. The Varnedoes at Valdosta; Bakers, 
at Thomasville; Stacy and Way, at Brunswick; Fleming, at 
Newton; Stevens, at Leesburg; Quarterman, at Winder; 
King, Dunwody and Minton, at Roswell: Dowse, at Bath; 
Heywood and West, at Perry, besides the large numbers 
entering into the population of the larger cities, as Savan- 


nah, Macon and Atlanta, are witnesses to this truth. No 


other community has contributed so largely to the upbuild- 
ing of the different churches in the state. Like her own 
world renowned Pear Tree, she has suffered the dismember- 
ment of her own body for other plantings in other places; 
and like Samson of old, has actually slain more in her death 
than while living. 

“What the future of this people will be, we know not. 
God may have some other work for them to do, and with 
this bitter training may be preparing them for it. The chil- 
dren of Israel were schooled in the wilderness for establish- 
ment in Canaan. The hardships and trials of the revolu- 
tion only better prepared our forefathers for laying the foun- 


260 HISTORY OF MIDWAY CHURCH. — 


dation of the American Republic. The noble charac 


strengthened their character, as to make them the erences , 
witnesses for the truth upon the earth. So it might be that y 
God is sifting this people like wheat for another planting, — 


and hardening them for some other great work. 


And though the former order of things may never be re- 
stored, and this building, hoary with age and rich in histor- | 
ic renown, as well as sacred memories, may tumble in ruins, 
and even these tombs and monuments, which mark the last 
resting places of many loved ones, whose mouldering bodies 
lie slumbering in this camping ground of the dead, be com- 


pletely obliterated, yet if the descendants of this people, con- i 


scious of the mighty responsibility resting upon them, and 
inspired with fresh vigor and zeal from the monuments of 
the past, instead of spending the time glorying over by-gone 
achievements, or indulging gloomy forebodings about the + 


~% A 


a 


se?) ae he bw 2 a . 
oS 2 ee tat ee ee 


future, would diligently and laboriously apply themselves — 
to the task before them, they may yet continue the work so 


gloriously begun by their forefathers and even make the rec- — 
ord of the old church still more illustrious. And it is possi- © 
ble, in some way unknown to us, that God mayin the future — 
raise up even here, out of: these mouldering ruins, another — 
church and clothe it with the vigor and freshness of former 
years. 

“But if this be not His will, if the time of her active life be - 


<s 


au 4: 


4 w&S 
Lihed BE Cae 


! 
bt 


as aie: 


past and she is to live only in history and story, then let the — 


influence.of her embalmed life continue ever to linger like holy — 
fragrance around this sacred spot, a silent witness of the ~ 


past anda source of inspiration for the future; in either 


case a benediction to the world, and to all who shall, come Aig 
after.”’ e 


r 


THE END. 


* ‘ “ 
e Dee ee ee ee 


OFFICERS OF MIDWAY CHURCH. 


261 


Rev 
Rev 


Rev. 
Rev. 
Rev. 
Rev. 
Rey. 
Rev. 
Rev. 
Rev. 
Rev. 
Rev. 


Rev 
Rev 
Rev 
Rev 
Rev 
Rev 


APPENDIX. 


CHURCH OFFICERS. 


MINISTERS OF MIDWAY CHURCH. 


. John Osgood, 1754-1773- 

. James Edmonds, (assistant) 1767-1769. 
Moses Allen, 1777-1778. 

Abicl Holmes, 1785-1791. 

Cyrus Gildersleeve, 1791-1811. 
Murdock Murphy, 1811-1823. 

Robert Quarterman, 1823-1847. 4 

I. S. K..Axson (co-pastor) 1836-1853. 
T. S. Winn (co-pastor), 1848-1855. 

D. L. Buttolph, 1854-1867. 

John F. Baker, (assistant pastor), 1855. 
Francis H. Bowman, (co-pastor), 1856-1859. 


TEMPORARY SUPPLY. 


. Jedidiah Morse, 1787. 

_ Richard M. Baker, 1851. * 
. John Winn, 1853. 

.R. Q. Mallard, 1855. 

. Donald Fraser, 1862. 

.R. Q. Way, 1866. 


1. Continued honorary pastor until his death in 1849. 


HiSTGORY OF MIDWAY CURCH. 


2 


DEACONS OF MIDWAY CHURCH. 


William Baker, 1754-1767. 

John Winn, 1767-1786. 

Thomas Quarterman, 1785-1791. 
Thomas Stevens, 1785-1%or. 
William Quarterman, 1791-1794. 
William Baker, Sr., 1795-1798. 
Peter Winn, 1798-1808. 

James McCollough, 1801-1806. 
Lazarus Mallard, 1806-1814. 
John Stacy, 1808-1818. 

Robert Quarterman, 1811-1823. 
William Fleming, 1816-1820. 
Joseph Law, 1820-1829. 
Thomas Mallard, 1820-186r. 


Moses Way, —— 1831. 

John S. Quarterman, —— 1836. 
John O. Baker, —— 1836. 
Samuel Jones, 1834-1836. 

John Dunwody, 1836-1838. 
Nathaniel Varnedoe, 1836-1856. 
W. E. W. Quarterman, 1836 1866. 
Samuel Spencer, 1836 —— 
Ezra Stacy, 1838-1866. 

John B. Mallard, 1838 —— 
Edward Quarterman, 1850-1863. 
Thomas Q. Cassels, 1857-1866. 
J. O. Varnedoe (elected), 1866. 


CLERKS. 


John Winn, 1818-1820. 

Josiah Wilson, 1821-1824. 
John W. Stacy, 1824-1854. 
Lazarus J. Mallard, 1854-1867. 
John L. Harden, 1887-1899. 


Benjamin Baker, 1754-1766. 
James Andrew, 1766-1771. 
Benjamin Baker, 1771-1785. 
Thomas Baker, 1785-1789. 
William Baker, 1790-17938. 


John Stacy, 1798-1818. 


17545. 
John Stevens, 
John Elliott, 
William Baker, 
Parmenas Way. 


1756-7. 
Richard Raker. 
John Elliott, 
Parmenas Way. 
William Baker, 
John Winn. 


1758-9. 
John Elliott, 
William baker. 
Parmenas Way, 
John Winn, 
Samuel Burnley. 


SELECT MEN. 


1760-5. 
John Elhott, 
William Baker, 
Parmenas Way, 
Join Winn, 
John Stewart. 


1766. 
Parmenas Way, 
John Winn, 
William 1 aker, Sr., 


Vhomas Quarterman, 


John Martin, 


1767-8. 
Parmenas W ay, 
John Quarterman, 
Benjamin Andrew, 
Samuel Jones, 
John Stevens. 


1769. 
Parmenas Way, 
John Martin, 

John stacy, 
Benjamin Andrew, 
John. Quarterman. 


1770-1. 
Parmenas Way, 
John Martin, 
Benjamin Andrew, 
Peter Sallens, 
Joon Stacy. 


1772. 
Parmenas Way, 
Benjamin Andrew, 
John Stacy, 
Samuel Saltus, 
Gideon Dowse. 


1773- 
Parmenas Way, 
Benjamin Andrew, 
John Stacy, 
Samuel Saltus, 
William Graves. 


1774-8. 
Parmenas Way, 
John Winn, 
Benjamin Andrew, 
William Graves, 
Samuel Saltus. 


1784. 
Gidon Dowse, 
‘Thomas Stevens, 
John Bacon, 
John Elliott, 


Peter Winn. 


1785. 
Gideon Dowse. 
Thomas Stevens. 
Samuel Saltus: 
John £ lott, 
Peter Winn. 


1786-9. 
Samuel Saltus. 
John Elliott, 
Gideon Dowse, 


William Quarterman, 


Peter Winn. 


1790. 
Samuel Saltus. 
John Elliott. 
Peter Winn, 


William Quarterman, 


Thomas Sumner. 


1791. 
John Elliott, 
Thomas Sumner, 
Peter Winn, 


William Quarterman, 


Josiah Osgood. 


{792 3 
Thomas Stevens, 
Peter Winn, 
Josiah Osgood, 
William Way. 
William Baker, Sr.. 


1794- 
Thomas Stevens, 


amt RAT arms 
Meese A eS 


Peter Winn, 

William Way, 
James Wilson, 
William Baker. 


1795-8. 
Thomas Stevens, 
Peter Winn. 
William Way, 


James McCullough, 


William Baker. 


1799 
Thomas Stevens, 
Peter Winn, 
William Way, 


James McCullough, 


John Osgoo |. Sr. 


1800-1 
James McCullough, 
foin Osgood. 
Peter Winn. 
Thomas Stevens. 
Lazarus Mallard. 


1802. 
Peter Winn, 


James McCullough, 


John Osgood. 
Lazarus Mallard, 
Thomas Mell. 


1803-4. 
Peter Winn, 


James McCullough, 


John Osgood, 
Lazarus Mallard, 
Samuel Spencer. 
1805-6. 
Peter Winn, 
John Osgood, 
Lazarus Mallard, 


Thomas Bacon, Jr. 
John Mallard. 


1807-9. 
Peter Winn, 
Lazarus Mallard, 
Thomas Bacon, Jr. 
John Mallard, 
William Fleming. 


1810. 


Lazarus Mallard, 
John Mallard, 

Thomas Mallard, 
William Fleming, 


John Osgood. 


181II. 
Lazarus Mallard, 
James Powell, 
Thomas Mallard, 
William Fleming, 
John Osgood. 


IS12-15. 
Robert Quarterman, 
james Powell, 
Thomas Mallard, 
William Fleming, 
John Osgood. 


1816. 
John Elliott, 
James Powell, 
thomas Mallard, 
William Fleming, 
John Osgood. 


1517-18. 
William Fleming, 
‘thomas Mallard, 
John Elliott 
Micajah Andrews, 
Josiah Wilson. 


i819. 
William Fleming, 
Thomas Mallard, 
John Elliott, 
josiah Wilson. 


1820-21. 
John Elliott, 
Josiah Wilson, 
Joseph Law, 5Sr., 
Thomas Mallard, 
John S. Quarterman. 


1822-25. 
John Elliott, 
john O. Baker, 
Joseph Law, Sr., 
‘Thomas Mallard, 
John S. Quarterman. 


1826-27. 
Thomas Mallard, 
John O. Baker, 

John Elliott, 

Joseph Law, Sr., 

John S. Quarterman. 
1828. 

Col. Joseph Law, 


264. 


HISTORY OF MIDWAY CHURCH. 


John O. Baker, 
Thomas Mallard, 
John S. Quarterman, 
Moses Way. 


1829-30. 
John Dunwody, 
John O. Baker, 
Thomas Mallard, 
John S. Quarterman, 
Moses Way. 


1831-33. 
John Dunwody, 
John O. Baker, 
Thomas Mallard, 
John S. Quarterman, 
Elijah Baker. 


1834-35. 
John Dunwody, 
John O. Baker, 
Thomas Mallard, 
Nathaniel Varnedoe, 
Elijah Baker. 


1836-37. 
John Dunwody, 
Thomas Mallard, 
William Jones, 
W. Q. Baker, 
Nathaniel Varnedoe. 


1838. 
Thomas Mallard, 
W. Q. Baker, 
Nathaniel Varnedoe, 
William Jones, 
Ezra Stacy. 


1839-41. 
Thomas Mallard, 


W. Q. Baker, 
Nathaniel Varnedog, 
William Jones, 


W. E. W. Quarterman, 


1842-43. 
Thomas Q. Cassels, 
William Maxwell, 
W.S. Baker, 
M.L. Jones, 
Thomas S. Mallard. 


1844. 
Thomas Q. Cassels, 
William Maxwell, 
Dr. J. M. B. Harden, 
M. L. Jones, 
Thomas S. Mallard. 


1845-46. 
Thomas Q. Cassels, 
Thomas W. Fleming, 
Dr. J. M. B. Harden, 
M. L. Jones, 
Thomas S. Mallard. 


1847. 
‘Thomas Q. Cassels, 
Thomas W. Fleming, 
Dr. J. M. B. Harden, 
M. L. Jones, 


Thomas Quarterman, Jr. 


1848-49. 
Thomas Q. Cassels, 
Thomas W. Fleming, 
John B. Barnard, 
M. L. Jones, 


W. E. W: Quart. rman. 


1850-51. 
Thomas Q. Cassels, 


Thomas S. Mallard, 
John B. Barnard, 
M. L. Jones, 

W. Q. Baker. 


1852-5 3. 
Thomas,Q. Cassels, 
John B. barnard, 
Thomas S. Mallard, 
W. Q. Baker, 
Thomas W. Fleming. 


1854. 
Thomas Q. Cassels, 
John B. Barnard, 
John L. Mallard, 
W. Q. Baker, 
Thomas W. Fleming. 


1855-57- 
Thomas Q. Cassels, 
John B. Barnard, 
John L. Mallard, 
W. S. Baker, 
Thomas W. Fleming. 


1858-62. 
W. S. Baker, 
Thomas Q. Cassels. 
L. L. Varnedoe, 
Thomas W. Fleming, 
L. J. Mallard. 


1863-64. 
Thomas Q. Cassels, 
A. M. King. 

Thomas W. Fleming, 
l.. L. Varnedoe, 
L Jj. Mallard. 


NOTE.—No regular meeting in 1865. In December of this year at a called meeting L. | 
J. Mallard, L. L. Varnedoe, and A. M. King were ‘‘authorized to hold office of ect 
Men till annual meeting.” There was, however, no ‘‘annual meeting” of the Society 
until twenty years afterwards, in 1887, and after the dissolution of the churoh. 


JOHN QUARTERMAN, SR. 265 


' GENEALOGIES. 


I give the genealogies of a few of the early families, begin- 
ning with the most remarkable, that of John Quarterman, 
the ancestor of so many ministers and prominent men. 


JOHN QUARTERMAN, SR. 


Sohn Quarterman, Sr., married first, Elizabeth, daughter of Rickard 
Baker, Sr. } 

Children: 1, John;2, Thomas, born March 27, 1742; 3, Robert; 4, Wil- 
liam, born September 7, 1746. 

Mrs. Elizabeth Quarterman died August 12, 1745. 


John Quarterman, Sr., married second, Hannah Taylor, June 8, 1756. 

1. Daughter, born March 5, 1757; 2. Jemima, 1758; 3. Richard, July 27, 
1760. 

John Quarterman, Sr., died February 21, 1765. 


Sohn Quarterman, Jr., son of John and Elizabeth Quarterman. married 
Sarah, daughter of Rev. John Osgood, October 11, 1754. 

Children :—1. Sarah, born July 21, 1755; 2. Elijah; 3. Elizabeth, Decem- 
ber 27, 1759; 4. John, December 30, 1762; 5. William, April 3, 1764. 

John Quarterman, Jr., died June 21, 1769. Mrs. Sarah Quarterman mar- 
ried second, Parmenas Way, Sr., (second wife) June g, 1772.. Mrs. Sarah 
Way died June 20, 1776. Parmenas Way, Sr., married third, Mrs. Elizabeth 
(Andrew) Baker, widow of Richard Baker, November 12, 1776. 


Thomas Sumner married first, Sarah Quarterman, daughter of John and 
Sarah Quarterman, May 17, 1774. 

Daughter, Sarah, born February 4, 1775. 

Mrs. Sarah Sumner died in South Carolina December 24, 1779. 


Thomas Sumner married (second) in South Carolina, Anna Baker, 
daughter of Richard and Elizabeth (Andrew) Baker, December 24, 1782. 

Children :—1. Elizabeth, born September he 1783, died March 8, 1792; 2. 
Ann, April 5, 1785; 3. Cynthia, March 25, 1790; Married Benjamin Mell 
February 19, 1807, f:ther of Dr. P. H. Mell, born July 1g, 18r4. 

Mrs. Anna Sumner died March 13, 1791; Thomas Sumner died December 
22, 1791. 


Elijah Quarterman, son of John and Sarah, married Margaret Wilson 
in South Carolina in 1783. Nochildren. After the death of Elijah Quarter- 
man, she murried Join Stacy May 3, 1787. 

Children :—1. John, born 1788 ; died November 15, 17£8. 2. Mary Wilson, 
February 14, 1790; married Joseph Norman March 26, 1807. 3. Margaret, 
May 2, 1793, second wife of John S. Quarterman. 


266 HISTORY OF MIDWAY CHURCH. 


Elizabeth Quarterman, daughter of John and Sarah Quarterman, -“mar- 


ried James Wilson September 10, 1782. / 
Children :—1. Sarah, born September ro, 1783; marcia” Thomas Mallard: 
March 6, 1800. 2. William, December 1, 1885. 3. John Osgood, April 27, 


1788. 4. Eliza, December, 1790. 5. James, ae oe 7, 1793; marricd Sarah 
Bacon February 29, 1816. 

James Wilson died December 10, 1794, and his widow, Mrs. Elizabeth 
Wilson, married (second) Lazarus Mallard February 20, 1800. 


John Winn, the son of Peter and Mary Farley Winn, aid grandson of 
John and Sarah Winn, was born December 4, 1774, and married Eliza Wil- 
son, daughter of James and Elizabeth Wilson, May 7, 1806. : 

Children:—r. James, born August 1, 1807. 2. Mary Eliza, Oct. 12, 1809. 
3. Sarah, November 20, 1811; married Ezra Stacy. 4. John, (Rev.) January 
10,1814. 5. Peter, (Rev.) September 27, 1815, 6. William Wilson, June, 
1818. 7. Thomas, Sumner, (Rev.) March 5, 1820.. 


feev. Samuel J. Cassels married Mary Eliza Winn December, 1828. 
Children:—1. John Winn. 2. Eliza Winn. 3. Abraham Walker. 4. 
Samuel Jones. 5. Tallulah. 


ev: Joseph M. Quarterman married Eliza Winn Cassels. 


Rev. John Winn married (first) Mary Brown. 
Children :—1. Henry Holmes. 2. George. 3. Thomas Clay, (missionary). 
4. Harriet Louisa, (missionary.) 5. John. 


Rev. Peter Winn married Margaret McCombs. Rev. Peter Winn died 
January 18, 1847. ‘Mrs. Margaret Winn married Henry Bartlett, of New 
Orleans. 


William Wilson Winn married (first) Louisa Varnedosg. 

Children :—1. Clarence Varnedoe. 2. Sarah Eleanora. 3. Eliza Ann .4 
Matilda Claudia. 5. William.Wilson. 6. Louis Sumner. 

Mrs. Louisa Winn died December 2, 1856. 


William Wilson Winn married (second) Claudia Varnedoe 
Children :—1. Stonewall. 2. Louisa. 


Rev. Thomas Sumner Winn married Mary Quarterman, daughter of 
Rev. Robert Quarterman, March 23, 1848. 

Children:—1. Emily Clifford. 2. Leighton Wilson. 3. William Wallace. 
4. Thomas Fleming. 5. Frank Axson. 6. Mary Leila, (missionary.) 7. 
Eva Howe. 8. Bessie. 

Mrs. Mary Winn died October 17, 188r. 


THOMAS QUARTERMAN, SR. 


Thomas Quarterman (Vo. 1), second son of John Quarterman, Sr., mar- 
ried three times. Married (first) Rebecca Bacon November 29, 1757. 


JOHN QUARTERMAN, SR. 267 


Children:—r. Rebecca, born September 19, 1758 ; married John Norman 
September 5, 1775. 2. Joseph. 3. Thomas, (omitted from the Recard.) 4. 
William. 5. Sarah. 


Soseph Quarterman, Sr., son of Thomas and Rebecca, married (cousin), 
Elizabeth, daughter of Robert Quarterman, May 17, 1787. 

Children :—1. Rebecca, born October 7, 1790. 2. Ann, October 26, 1793. 
3. Joseph, (colonel) April 26,1796. 4. Miriam E., May 16, 1798. 5. John 
Bacon, July 18, 1799. 6. Susannah, December 28, 18or. , 

Joseph Quarterman, Sr., died December 26, 1806. 

Mrs. Rebecca Quarterman, first wife of Thomas Quarterman (No.1) died 
March 11, 1775. 


Thomas Quarterman (Vo. 1) married (second) Rebecca Smallwood May 
13, 1776. 

Child, John, born May 25, 1777; died February 17, 1790. 

Thomas Quartermanx (Vo. 1) married (third) Mrs. Rebecca Ball in South 
Carolina, 1779. She was Rebecca Baker, the aunt of Dr. Daniel Baker, 
and married first, Samuel Jones, second, Edward Ball, and third Thomas 
Quarterman. 

Children :—1r. Susannah, born January 20, 1784. 2. Robert, (Rev.) Janu- 
ary 13, 1787. 3. Thomas, December 23, 1791; died July’29, 1792. 

Thomas Quarterman (No. 1), died May 31, 1791. Mrs. Rebecca Quarter- 
man (third wife), died March 15, 1792. 


Thomas Quarterman, (Vo. 2) son of Thomas and Rebecca Bacon, mar- 
rried Renchie Norman March 29, 1787. 

Child, Thomas, born February 13, 1788. 

Thomas Quarterman (No. 2) died 1788. 

Mrs. Renchie Quarterman, his wife, married (second) Hon. John Elliott, 
United States senator, July 1, 1790, who died 1791; and married (third) Rev. 
Cyrus Gildersleeve (four children). Mrs. Renchie Gildersleeve died No- 
vember 15, 1807. 


Thomas Quarterman (Vo. 3). son of Thomas and Renchie, married first, 
Elizabeth Osgood; second, Elizabeth Peacock, (five or six children); third, 
Mrs. Sarah E. Norman. 


Rev. Robert Quarterman, son of Thomas Quarterman, (No. 1), and his 
third wife, Mrs. Rebecca Ball, married (first), his cousin, Rebecca, daughter 
of Robert Quarterman, September 1, 1807. 

Children:—r. Edward William, born November 29, 1808. 2. Mary Su- 
sannah, October 3, 1810; died October 15, 1811. 3. Rebecca Elizabeth, 
March 1, 1812. 4. Robert Thomas, October 15, 1813. 

Mrs. Rebecca Quarterman died November 11, 1813. 


Rev. Robert Quarterman married (second) Margaret Esther Myddleton 
March 2, 1815. 

(Rev.) Wiiliam Myddleton born September 6, 1816. 

Mrs. Margaret E. Quarterman died October 31, 1817. 


268 HISTORY OF MIDWAY CHURCH. 


Rev. Robert Quarterman married (third) Mary Jemima Way December 
3, 1818. 

Children :—1. Harriet Newell, born October 31, 1819. 2. (Rev.) John 
Winn, September 21, 1821. 3. Anna Rebecca, October 1, 1822. 4. Susan 
Caroline, August 26, 1824. 5. Mary, April 5, 1826. 6. (Rev.) Joseph Me- 
lanchthon, April 13, 1828. 7. Hattie Augusta, December 18, 1829. 8. Henry 
Martin, February 26, 1832. 9. Thomas Way, July 2, 1834. 1o. Emma La- 


vinia, August 12, 1835. 11. Samuel Jones, February 26, 1838. 12. (Rev.) - 


N. Pratt, September 30, 1839. 
Mrs. Mary Jemima Quarterman died September 22, 1841. 


Rev. Robert Quarterman married (4th) Mrs. Margaret Sarah Baker Au- 
gust 18, 1842. e 
Rev. Robert Quarterman died April 19, 1849. 


Edward William Quarterman, son of Rev. Robert and Rebecca Quar- 
terman, married Adeline Way. 
Among other children, Rev. John Way Onsen born March 18, 1841. 


Rev. Richard Q. Way married Susan Caroline, daughter of Rev. Rob- 
ert Quarterman, June 6, 1843. 

Children:—1. Edward Clifford, born May 17, 1844. 2. Charles Frances, 
March 4, 1846. 3. George Howard,.January 25, 1848. 4. Mary Augusta, 
July 14,1850. 5. Georgia Serena, December 28, 1851. 6. Elliott Clifford, 
February 22, 1855. 7. Horace Winn, December 12, 1857. 8. (Rev.) Louis 
Theodore, May 20, 1866. Edward Clifford was born at Singapore and killed 
in the war between the states in 164. All the others, except Louis Theo- 
dore, were born at Ningpo, China. 

Rev. R. Q. Way died August 6, 1895. Mrs. Susan Caroline Way died 
May, 1893. 


ROBERT QUARTERMAN. 


Robert Quarterman, soi of John Quarterman, Sr., and Elizabeth, mar- 
ried (1st) Mary Way June 16, 1767. 

Son, Robert, born 1768. 

Mrs. Mary Quarterman died November 2, 1770. 


Robert Quarterman married (2d) Elizabeth Baker, daughter of Richard 


and Elizabeth (Andrew) Baker, May 9, 1771. 

Children :--1. Elizabeth, born February 28, 1773. 2. Mary, August, 31, 
1774. 3. Ann, November 29, 1775. 4. Edward, January 18, 1778. 5. Lydia, 
February 28, 1780. 6. Polly, April 2, 1782. 7. Rinta, September 28, 1784. 
8. Rebecca, September 28, 1785. 


Elizabeth Quarterman, daughter of Robert Quarterman, married (rst) 
her cousin, Joseph Quarterman, May 17, 1787. 

Children :—1. Rebecca, died May 22, 1792. 2. Ann, born October 26, 
1793. 3. Joseph, April 26,1796. 4. Miriam E., May 16,1798. 5. John Ia- 
con, July 18, 1799. 6. Susannah, December 28, 18or. 


ROBERT AND WILLIAM QUARTERMAN. 269 


Ann Quarterman, daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth, married Louis Le- 
Conte January 30, 1812. 

Children:—1. William, born Nov. 18, 1812. 2. Jane, November 23, 1814; 
married Dr. J. M.B. Harden. 3. John (professor), December 4, 1818. 4. 
Louis, January 4,1821. 5. Joseph (professor), September 26, 1823. 6. Ann, 
March 26, 1825; married Dr. J. P. Stevens. Among other children, Prof 
Walter LeConte Stevens. 


Mrs. Elizabeth Quarterman married (2d) John Roberts Feb. 6, 1806. 
Children :—1. Mary Jane, born 1806. 2. Renchie, May 28, 1809; married 
R. P. Burton. 3. Daughter, March, 1812. 
ee 


Mary Jane Roberts married William Jones May 15, 1823. ; 

Children :—1. Matilda, born September 13, 1824. 2. William Louis (pro- 
fessor), March 27, 1827. 3. Rosa Jane, July 17,1829. 4. Louisa Leonora, 
November, 1831. 5. Mary Cornelia, March 25, 1834; married Rev. Thomas 
Goulding Pond. 6. Samuel John, January 3, 1838. 


Ann Quarterman, daughter of Robert and Elizabeth, married Micajah 
Andrews May 31, 1797. 

Children :—1. Joseph, born June 12, 1798; father of Rev. Hansford An- 
drews. 2. (Rev.) Edward Quarterman, October 26, 1800. 3. Anna Rebec- 
ca, March 11, 1803. 4. Robert Quarterman (Rev.) March 23, 1805. , 5. Sa- 
rah Jane, June 10, 1807. 6. John, November g, 1809. 7. Elizabeth Polly, 
March 8, 1813; married Elisha Smith. 8. Lydia Quarterman, Oct. 1, 1815. 


Edward Quarterman, son of Robert and Elizabeth, married Anna Winn 
May 10, 1798. Edward Quarterman died April, 1799. 


Mrs. Anna Quarterman married (2d) William E. Way in 1800. 
Daughter, Jemima, born May 25, 1801; married Rev. Robert Quarterman. 
William FE. Way died November 25, 1802. 


Mrs. Anna Way married (3d) William Fleming. 
Son, Thomas Winn Fleming, born in September, 1815. 


Lydia Quarterman, daughter of Robert and Elizabeth, married (rst) 
John Mallard March 7, 1797. 

Children :—1. Elizabeth, born April 22,1798. 2. Mary, March 11, 1802; 
married T. Q. Cassels 1831. 3. Ann Lydia, July 15, 1804; married W. Q. 
Baker 1821. 4. John Boyd, September 18, 1808; married (zst) Eloisa Field 
December 26, 1839; (2d), Sarah Way. — 


Mrs. Lydia Mallard married (2d) Robert Laing April, 1824. 


WILLIAM QUARTERMAN. 


William Quarterman, third son of John Quarterman, Sr., and Elizabeth, 
married Sarah Stewart February 19, 1767. 

Children:—r. William, born February 28,1771; killed by Indians Sep- 
tember 25, 1788. 2. Susannah, August 20,1773. 3. John Stewart, May 29, 


270 HISTORY OF MIDWAY CHURCH. 


1775. 4. Cynthia Bap, June 31,1777. 5. Sarah, October 22, 1778. 6. Eliza, 
September 24, 1781. 7. Richard, July 1, :784. 8. Rebecca, October. 6, 
1786. 9. Son, September g, 1788. 10. Arlissa, February 13, 1791. 

Captain William Quarterman died December 20,1794. Mrs. Sarah Quar- 
terman died February 12, 1832, at Walthourville. 


Susannah, daughter of William and Sarah Quarterman, married Major 
John Bacon March 9, 1785. 

Children :—1. William Quarterman, born March 16,1796. 2. Saily, Au- 
gust 30,1798. 3. Daughter, July 24,1801. 4. Susannah Quarterman, Janu- 
ary 25,1806. 5. John, December 5, 1807. 6. Son, (Joseph), November 5, 
1810; married (1st) Olivia Fleming, and (2d) Harriet Mallard. 

Major John Bacon married (2d) Mary Hazzard. 


Sally, daughter of Major John Bacon and Susannah, married (1st) James 
Wilson February 29, 1816. : 

Daughter, Susan Eliza, born February 10, 1819; married Thomas W. 
Fleming. 


Mrs. Sally Wilson married (2d) William Spencer August, 1822. 
Children :—Samuel B., (Maj.) Anna Coushi. 
Mrs. Susannah Bacon died July 23, 2805. 


John Stewart Quarterman, son of William and Sarah, married (1st) Ann 
Way March 24, 1796 

Children:—1. John Edward, born December, 1796. 2. William, Novem- 
ber 24, 1798. 3. Edward Way, March 31, 1800. 4. William Elliott Way, 
December 15, 1802. 5. Sarah Stewart, December 3, 1804. 


W. E. W. Quarterman married (1st) Jane Fergerson February, 1823. 
Son, born February 4, 1824. 


W. E. W. Quarterman married (2d) Mary Dorsey January 31, 1829. 
Children :—1. Ann Irene; married (1st) Rev. Moses Way, and (2d) Ezra 
Stacy. 2. Sarah Elizabeth. 


W. E. W. Quarterman married (31) Mrs. Lydia Baker in April, 1858. 


John Stewart Quarterman married (2d) Margaret Stacy April 2, 1812, 
who died January 9, 1816. 


John Stewart Quarterman married (34) Susannah Myers February 19, 
1817. ; 
Children :—1. John Lawrence, born January 25, 1818. 2. Sarah Ann, Ju- 
ly 9, 1821. 3. Susan Westbury, September 22, 1722; married John S. Nor- 
man. 4. LaFayette Stewart, December 25, 1827; married (ist) Rebecca 
McGowen, and (2d) Eliza Mann. 5. Richard. 

John S. Quarterman died March 5, 1836. 


Sarah Quarterman, daughter of William and Sarah, married John Stacy, 
(2d wife) November 23, 1797. 
Children :—1. John William, born November 3, 1798. 2. James, Septem- 


WILLIAM QUARTERMAN, SR. 2t1. 


ber 1, 1801. 3. Eliza Quarterman, October 25, 1804. 4. Ezra, May 31, 1807. 

5. Sarah Ann, June 20, 1810; died October 31, 1810. 6. Richard, December 

29, 1811; died Jan. 10, 1812. 7. Robert, March 18, 1813; died October 2ath. 
John Stacy died April 7, 1818. Mrs. Sarah Stacy died May 8, 1826. 


Sohn W’. Stacy married Mary Bacon January 27, 1825. 

Children :-—1. Milton Elbert, born December 31, 1825. 2. Lavinia, Janu- 
ary 27, 1828; died September 20, 1829. 3. James, (Rev.), June 2, 1830. 4. 
Mary Eliza, October 17, 1836. 5. Thomas Goulding, August 26, 1839. 6. 
Son, May 16, 1841. 7. Daughter, April 4, 1843. 

John W. Stacy died July 23, 1871. Mrs. Mary Stacy died Nov. 23, 1857. 


Elizabeth Quarterman, daughter of William and Sarah (Stewart) Quar- 
terman, married William E. Way, May 10, 1798. 

Children :—1. Son Quarterman, bora January 25, 1799; married Sarah 
daughter of Thomas Mallard, by (1st wife.) 2. Daughter, Sarah, married 
John B. Mallard, (2d wife ) 


Milton Elbert Stacy,sonof John W. and Mary Stacy, married (rst) 
Elizabeth Andrews December 31, 1846. 

Children :—r. Ella, born 1848. 2. Howard, Jan. 6, 1850. 3. Juliet A. 
February 15, 1852; married C. R. Hodges: March 17, 1873, and died March 
27, 1877. 4. Weston, August 7, 1854. 5. Hawley Bacon, February 27, 1857. 
6. Elbert Rush, March 27, 1861. 

Mrs. Elizabeth Stacy died April 8, 1889. 


Milton E. Stacy married (2d) Fannie McRa2 March 5, 1890, who died 
January 8, 1893. 


Milton FE. Stacy married (31) Fannie M. Johnson April 9, 1894. 


James Stacy, son of John W. and Mary Stacy married (1st) Jane E. 
Hawley April 18, 1855. 

Children: —1. Eva, scorn March 20, 1857; died June 3, 1857. 2. James 
Hawley, June 6, 1858; died June 18, 1853. 

Mrs. Jane E. Stacy died June 8, 1858. 


James Stacy married (2d) Mary Jane McIver December 10, 1860, who 
died November 18, 1861. 


James Stacy married (3d) Mrs. Emily Jones Kendrick October 9, 1867, 
who was the widow of Major Meredith Kendrick, who fell at Kennesaw. 

Tallulah, daughter of Major Meredith and Emily J. Kendrick, born May 
12, 1857; died May 19, 1859. 


Mary Eliza Stacy, daughter of John W. and Mary Stacy, married Rob- 
ert T. Quarterman March 15, 1855. He married (1st) Wilhelmina Middleton. 
Robert T. Quarterman died March 24, 1885. 


Thomas Goulding Stacy, son of John W. and Mary Stacy, married (rst) 
Caroline Palmer December 18, 1860. 
Children :—1. Palmer Goulding. 2. Carlton Ingersoll. 3. Harry Sumner. 


272 HISTORY OF MIDWAY CHURCH. 


4. Herbert Dexter. 5. Addie Augusta. 6. Emmie Isadora. 
Mrs. Caroline Stacy died June 1878. 


Thomas Goulding Stacy married (2d) Maria Louisa Stacy Feb. 1, 1879. 
Children :—1. Frank Lavender. 2. Ernest Hunter. 3. Thomas Sumner. 
Thomas G. Stacy died January 13, 1893. 


JEMIMA QUARTERMAN, 


Jemima, daughter of John Quarterman, Sr., and second wife, Hannah 
Taylor, married John Way, Sr., son of Samuel Way, about 1775. 
Son, John Way, born January 12, £776. 


John Way, /r., married Rebecca Jones September 17, 1807. 

Children:—1. William Elliot, born September 11, 1808; married Eliza 
Quarterman. 2. Son, July, 1810. 3. Adeline, February 2, 1817; married 
Edward Quarterman. 4. Robert Quarterman, (Rev.) December 20, 1819; 
married Susan Quarterman. 5. Murdoch Murphy, October 16, 1821. 6. 
Henry, August 31, 1823. 7. Nathaniel, May 5, 1825. 


REMARK. 


The above is but an imperfect list of the descendants of 
John Quarterman, Sr., but enough to show how wonderful- 
ly blest in the extent of his posterity. Soin the number of 
prominent people descending from him, as appears from the 
following list I give, of those I now remember. 


MINISTERS. 


John Winn, Peter Winn, Thomas Sumner Winn, Thomas 
Clay Winn, Robert Quarterman, W. M. Quarterman, John 
Winn Quarterman, Joseph M. Quarterman, N. P. Quarter- 
man, John Way Quarterman, C. A. Baker, B. L. Baker, R. 
Q. Baker, R.Q. Way, L. T. Way, James Stacy, Louis Le 
Conte, E. Q. Andrews, R.Q. Andrews, Hansford Andrews, 
Hartwell Andrews, Chalmers Fraser, Thomas Goulding 
Pond.—23. 


FOREIGN MISSIONARIES. 


J. W. Quarterman, R. Q. Way, Louis LeConte, H. Clay 
Winn, Mrs. Susan Way, Miss Harriet Louisa Winn, Miss 
Leila Way.—7. 


PROFESSORS AND TEACHERS. 
The celebrated LeConte brothers, John and Joseph, Louis 


THE WAY FAMILIES. 273 
Jones, John B. Niatlard: Walter LeConte Stevens, physicist, 
W. H. Baker, John Baker, S. B. Spencer.—8. 

Besides a host of prominent men, in the walks of business 
and social life, and a large number of noted women too nu- 
merous to mention. What a wonderful record! I know of 
no other man upon whom such high honor has ever been be- 
stowed. 


THE BAKER FAMILY. 


There were several of these, namely: William, the first 
deacon, and grandfather of Dr. Daniel Baker; Benjamin, the 
clerk; Richard, John Baker, Sr., and Major Wilkar and Col. 
John Baker. 


WILLIAM BAKER, SR., FIRST DEACON. 


William Baker, Sr., married (1st) Sarah (Osgood ?). 
Children:—1. William. 2. Rebecca. 3. Sarah. 
Mrs. Sarah Baker died January 4, 1763. 


William Baker, Sr., married (2d) Mrs. Rebecca Way, widow oi Samuel 
Way, and who was Miss Lupton. No children. 

William Baker, Sr., died March 15, 1767. His wife, Rebecca, died two 
days afterwards. 


William Baker, Jr., second deacon, married (1st) Elizabeth Dunham 
March 27, 1771. 

Children :—1. Elizabeth, born June 30,1774. 2. Sarah, January 27, 1776. 
3. Mary, January 31, 1778. 4. Sarah Osgood, September 21,1779. .5. Wil- 
liam, September 28, 1782. 6. Rebecca, January 25,1785. 7. John Osgood, 
November 27, 1786. 8. Gideon, August 19, 1788. 9. Daniel, (Evangelist) 
"August <7, 1791. 

Mrs. Elizabeth Reker died February 16, 1792. 

William Baker. Jr, ~2~-ried (2d) Mrs. Susannah (Dick) Hornsby, Janu- 
ary 8, 1792. 

Son, Thomas, born January 30. :795. 

Mrs. Susannah Baker died March 25, 1795. 


‘illiam Baker, Jr., married (3d) Ann Stevens September, 17, 1795. 
Son, (Rev.) Joseph Stevens, born September 20, 1797: 
Rebecca, daughter of William Baker, Sr., and Sarah, married (1st) Samuel 
Jones August 15, 1763. 
Children :—1. Rebecca, June 27, 1763. 2. Samuel, married Mary Way. 
3. Mary, August 6, 1769. 4. Sarah, July 23, 1771. 


274. HISTORY OF MIDWAY CHURCH. 


Rebecca Jones, daughter of Samuel and Rebecca, married (ist) W. H. 
Cassels, who died April 20, 1789. Married (2d) Robert Iverson, father of 
Hon. Alfred Iverson, United States Senator, March 9, 1790. 


Sarah Jones, daughter of Samuel and Rebecca, married Elias Cassels 
December 10, 1791. 

Children :—1. William, born December 4, 1791; died 1792. 2. John, Oc- 
tober 18,1793; died 1795. 3. Elias, November 24, 1795. 4. William Henry, 
September 22, 1797. “g. Margaret Rebecca, February 2, 1800. 6. Susannah, 
May 13, 1802. 7. Benjamin Franklin, February 14, 1804. 8. (Rev.) Samuel 
Jones, February 24, 1806. 9. Thomas Q., January 11, 1808, grandfather of 
Rev. Chalmers Fraser. 10. (Rev.) John Baker, April 6, 1811. 

Samuel Jones died February 5, 1771. 


Mrs. Rebecca Jones married (2d) Edward Ball, of Virginia, Jan. 21, 1773. 
Children :—1. Elizabeth. 2. William, born May 31, 1777. 3. John Os- 
good and Samson Edward, November, 1779. 


Mrs. Rebecca Ball married (34) Thomas Quarterman, in South Carolina, 
in 1779. 

Children :—1. Susannah, January 20, 1784. 2. (Rev.) Robert, January 13, 
1789. 3. Thomas, December 23, 1791. 


William Baker, son of William, Jr., 2d deacon, and Elizabeth Baker, 
married and had a son, John Baker, minister, who died in 1834. 


John Osgood Baker, son of William, Jr., 2d deacon, and Elizabeth, mar- 
ried Adeline Fabian December, 1823. Among the children, two sons were 
ministers, William Elliott and John Fabian. The latter married and had 
two sons who were ministers, William Steele and Adolph Elhart. 


Daniel Baker, the celebrated evangelist, and brother of the above, mar- 
ried Elizabeth McRobert, March 28, 1816. Among the children were two 
ministers, Daniel Sumter and William Munford. 

Dr. Daniel Baker died December 10, 1857. 


BENJAMIN BAKER. 


Benjamin Baker, son of Thomas, married (ist) Susannah Osgood, sister 
of Rev. John Osgood. 

Children :—1. Sarah, married John Winn, Jr., August 17, 1767. 2. Eliza- 
beth, married Samuel Stevens March 14, 1769. 3. Susannah, married Sam- 
uel Saltus May 16, 1768. 4. John “B.,” married Harriet Way, daughter of 
Nathaniel and Sarah Way, January 5, 1778. 

Mrs. Susannah Baker died December 3, 1752. 

Benjamin Baker married (2d) Elizabeth Lax November 18, 1753. 

Children :—1. William “B.,” born September 14, 1754. 2. Rebecca, July 20, 
1756. 3. Samuel, March 31, 1758. 4. Nathaniel, May 25, 1760. 5. Joseph, 
April 21, 1762. 6, Christopher, November 22, 1764. 7. Elijah, October 15, 


/ 


THE BAKER FAMILIES. Qe 


1769 ; (clerk of County Court 26 years.) 8. Ann, September 29, 1772. 9- 
Benjamin, September 22, 1778. 

Benjamin Baker died December 1, 1785. Mrs. Elizabeth Baker died July 
II, 1799. 


Eliah Baker, son of Benjamin and Elizabeth, married Mrs. Rebecca 
Norman, (nee Baker), daughter of Richard and Elizabeth (Andrew) Baker, 
April 13, 1797. 

Son, William Quarterman Baker, born December 11, 1800; married (1st) 
Anna Lydia Mallard in 1821. 

Children:—r. William Elijah, born September 29, 1822. 2. Caroline 
Amanda, January 4, 1824. 3. Rebecca Ann, September 24, 1825. 4. Lydia 
Matilda, January 11, 1827. 5. Macon, June 27, 1828. 6. John Elijah, 
March 23, 1833. 7. William Henry, September 1, 1834. 8. Sarah. 9. Mary. 
ro. (Rev.) Robert Q., January 18, 1838. 11. (Rev.) C. Augustus, October 29, 
1839. 12. (Rev.) Benjamin L., January 8, 1843. 13. Kossuth. 


William Quarterman Baker married (2d) Sarah Varnedoe. 


RICHARD BAKER. 


Richard Baker married (1st) Elizabeth (Sumner ?), who died September 
12, 1754. 

Richard Baker married (2d) Elizabeth Andrew, sister of Benjamin and 
James Andrew, April 28, 1755. 

Children:—1. Elizabeth, born April 28,1756. 2. Lydia, January 1, 1758; 
married Joseph McGowen. 3. Mary, July 16, 1759; married Edward Way. 
4. Richard, December 28, 1761. 5. William ‘*R.,” May 27, 1764; married Ma- 
ry Norman. 6. Anna, November 4, 1766; married Thomas Sumner (2d 
wife.) 7. Sarah, April 18,1769. 8. Rebecca, March 11, 1772; married (rst) 
William Norman, afterwards Elijah Baker. 

Richard Baker died April 10, 1775. 


Mrs. Elizabeth Baker married (2d) Parmenas Way, Sr., November 12, 
1776. 


WILLIAM BAKER. 


William Baker, no doubt the “Major Baker,’ of Revolutionary fame, 
married Mary (Jeans ?) 

Children :—1. Ann, born September 5, 1759. 2. William Jeans, 1763. 

Mrs. Mary Baker died July £7, 1767. 


William Baker married (2d) Hanuah McCartey April 30, 1772. 
Children :—1. Elizabeth, born May 7, 1773. 2. Susannah, November 13, 
1774. 3. Ann,1776. 4. Charles, May 24, 1778. 


William Jeans Baker, son of William, married (1st) Mary Wells 1782. 


276 HISTORY OF MIDWAY CHURCH. 


Children :—1. Hepeworth Carter, born 1786. 2. Charlotte, 1790. 

Mrs. Mary Baker died March 24, 1795. 

William Jeans Baker married (2c) Elizabeth Way June 14, 1796. 

Children:—1. William W1., born July 26, 1797. 2. Artemas, 1800. 3. 
Samuel, March g, 1803. 4. Eliza, April, 1805. 5. Edward, about 1809. 6. 
(Rev.) John W., January 24, 13811. 7. (Rev.) Richard M., April 30, 1813. 


COL. JOHN BAKER. [pep b. hans - liw., 


Col. John Baker came from Carolina, and doubtless was related to Rich- 
ard and William, but how, I am unable to say. The Record speaks of John © 
Baker, Sr., and wife, Sarah, who joined the church in 1763. If this be Col. 
Baker, then’he was married twice, for he afterwards, in 1784, married Mrs. 
Mary Lapina, who afterwards married Dr. McWhir. Col. John Baker died 


June 9, 1792. 


THE WAY FAMILY. 


There were several of these. The church book literally 
teems with them. Among the original settlers were Samuel, 
Parmenas, Edward, Nathaniel, Moses, and Andrew. In- 
deed, so many and so intermarried were they, that at this 
late day it would be well nigh impossible to trace out the 
different relationships. The case is very aptly put in the fol- 
lowing couplet of names, formed, it is said, by Dr. W. P. Mc- 
Connell in 1843, a year generally known as one of exceeding 
scarcity and hardness, which I give both as a specimen of 
Liberty county wit, as well as illustration of the point. 
Said he: 

“We have Hams and Dun-hams, Bacons and Greens, 
Manns and Quartermans, Plenty of Ways, but no Means. 

The Way family is just as old as numerous. Together 
with the Sumner’s, it is the only one the: can be traced di- 
rectly back to England through th= .uassachusetts colony. 

Henry Way came over from “Sristol, England, with Roger 
Williams, February 8, 1631, and settled in Dorchester, and 
died in 1667, aged eighty-four years. His wife, Elizabeth, 
died April 23, 1665, aged eighty-four years. They had three 


” 


1. NOTE.—William W. Baker, for many years a Senator from Liberty county and Com- 
mander of the Liberty Troop, was killed by his horse a few miles from Milledgeville on 
his way home after the adjournment of the Legislature His remains were taken back 
to Milledgeville and interred, and the Legislature erected a monument over his grave. 
He was unmarried. 


THE WAY FAMILY. AAd if 


sons born in England: George, Richard and Aaron, who re- 
moved with their father. George never left Dorchester, and 
still has a large number of descendants living in and around 
Boston. The Carolina and Liberty county Ways descended 
chiefly from Richard and Aaron, and especially of the latter, 
of whom we know most. 

William Sumner and his wife, Mary, came over from Bur- 

~ 4 _~cester, Oxford county, England, as early as 1637. Among 

the children born in Dorchester were Increase and Joanna 
Sumner. Joanna married a Way, who was Aaron, as believed. 

In Daniel Axtell’s day ‘book, used on the Ashley, we meet 
with the names of Aaron Way, Sr., Aaron, Jr., Moses, Wil- 
liam, Sr., and William, Jr. And in the probate court in 
Charleston we have the will of Moses and William Way. 
From it all we would make the following genealogical de- 
scent: 

Aaron Way, Sr., married Joanna Sumner. 

Children :—Aaron, William, Moses and Samuel 

From William and Perces, his wife, were born William, Jr., and Henry, 
and daughters Perces, who married a Sumner, and Waitstill, who married 
an Osgood. 

To Moses, who died in Carolina in 1737, and wife, Sarah, were born Par- 
menas, Stephen, Joseph, Parthena and Sarah. 

To Parmenas, among other children, Moses, who was unmarried at the 
time of the removal to Georgia. 

As Moses was an Officer in the state troops in the old war, 
and my own immediate ancestor, I give some of his descend- 
ants: 


MOSES WAY. 


Moses Way married (1st) Lydia Mitchell February 9, 1756. 

Children:—1. Lydia, born November 23, 1756. 2. John, May 3, 1759. 3. 
William, 1762. 

Mrs. Lydia Way died in 1765. 

Peter Sallens married Lydia, daughter of Moses Way, July 14, 1774. 

Daughter, Sarah, born. Peter Salfens died October 28, 1775. 


John Foster ae wirs Ledit Gulleas Daughter, Mary, born. 


Jonathan Bacon married (1st) Mary Foster, November 15, 1798. 
Children :—1. Mary Rebecca, born September 16, 1799. 2. Sarah, 18or. 
3. Lydia Way, Nov. 1, 1802. 4. Elizabeth, September 15, 1805; married 


an 
oe 


278 HISTORY OF MIDWAY CHURCH. 


(1st) Moses W. Way, and (2d) S.S. Moody. 5. Mary, October 26, 1807; 
married John W. Stacy. 


Jonathan Bacon married (2d) Elizabeth H. Phelps April 28, 1814. 
Daughter, Eliza Amarantha, born September 11, 1816. 
Mrs. Elizabeth Bacon died October 21, 1816. 


Jonathan Bacon married (3d) Mrs. Mary Osgood, nee Winn, (who first 
married John Osgood, Jr.,) January 8, 1818. 


John Way, son of Moses, Sr., and Lydia Mitchell, married Sarah Gould- 
ing February 15, 1790. 

Children :—1. 1. John, born October 6, 1790. 2. Thomas Graves, January 
7, 1793. 3- Moses William, December 6, 1794. 


Moses William Way married (1st) Sarah Ann Bacon. Son born, Ed- 
mond Bacon. ‘ 


Moses William Way married (2d) Elizabeth Bacon. 
Children :—-1. Addison. 2. Moses (Rev.). 3. Cornelia. 4. Joseph Ba- 
con (physician). 3 


Moses Way, Sr., married (2d) Ann Winn March 12, 1766. 

Children :—1. Mary, born in 1767. 2. Susannah, 1769, (Mrs. White). 3. 
Patty, 1772. 4. Moses, 1776 ; married Mrs. Susannah Dowse April 3, 1800. 
5. Rebecca Thompson, 1786, (Mrs. Shearer). 


Mary, daughter of Moses Way, Sr., and (2d) wife, Anna Winn, married 
Samuel Jones, Jr., March 22, 1787. 

Children :—1. Rebecca, born February 12,1792. 2. Ann, March 23, 1794; 
married Nathaniel Varnedoe. 3. Samuel, July, 1796. 4. Thomas, 1800. 5. 
William, 1802; married Mary Jane Roberts. 6. Son, April 1805. 7. Moses 
L., April 29, 1810; married Saccharissa Axson, grandparents of Rey. John 
Lake. 

Moses Way, Sr., died in 1786. Mrs. Ann Way died February 11, 1690. 


THE NORMAN FAMILY. 


William Norman J., removed from Carolina March 22, 1771. He mar- ~ 
ried Mary Boyd, of Charleston. 

Children :—1. William, born September 26, 1772. 2. Mary, married Wil- 
liam Baker “R.”, April 21, 1785. 3. Renchie, 1775; married Thomas Quar- 
terman March 29, 1787. 

Mary Baker, daughter of William Baker “R” and Mary, married Peter 
Farley Winn February 3, 1807, and died February 3, 1819. 

William Baker “R” died April 21, 1785. 

Mrs. Mary Baker married (2d) John Roberts, July 28, 1791, and died 
October 1, 1804. 


Mrs. Mary Boyd Norman married (2d) Lazarus Mallard, Sept. 4, 1775. 
Children :—1. Thomas, born April 13, 1788. 2. John. 


THE OSGOOD FAMILY. 279 


William Norman £f., married Rebecca Baker, daughter of Richard Ba- 
ker, June 25, 1792. 


William Norman IJ. died January 16, 1796. Mrs. Rebecca Norman died 
April 21, 1797. 

William Norman LTI., son of the above, was born January 25, 1794, and 
matried Sarah Sanford, of Bryan county, Ga., November 17, 1818, and died 
April 6, 1827. 

William Sanford Norman, son of William III., married Susan Lorenna 


Stacy January 23, 1845. There was a large family of children, among them 
Hon. Newton J. Norman. 


THE OSGOOD FAMILY. 


I regret that Iam not able to speak with absolute cer- 
tainty concerning the early history of this family. From the 
best lights before me, I give the following line of descent: 


Aaron Way, Sr., son of Henry Way, who came over from England, mar- 
ried Joanna Sumner. 

Children:—1. Aaron, Jr. 2. William. 3. Moses. 4. Joanna. 5. Mary. 

Joanna married Job Chamberlin. William married Perces 

Children of William Sr., and Perces Way :—William, Jr., Henry, and two 
daughters, Perces and Waitstill. 


Perces married (ist) a Henchman, and (2d) a Sumner. 


Waztstzll married Thomas Osgood. 


Children :—Thomas, Josiah, and probably a daughter, who married Sam- 
uel Way. 


Thomas Osgood married 

Children :—(Rev.) John, Susannah, who married Benjamin Baker, and 
probably Joana, who married John Lupton, and Sarah, who married William 
Baker, Sr., first deacon. 


Rev. John Osgood married twice, and had two children,—Sarah, who 
married John Quarterman, Jr., and Mary, who married Joseph Way. His 
first wife was Hannah and his second was Mary Andrew, sister of 
Judge Benjamin Andrew. 

The Andrew family was quite large, as follows: Benjamin, James, the 
father of John and grandfather of Bishop James Osgood Andrew, Joseph, 
and Lydia, who married first, Saunders and second, John Winn, Sr., Han- 
nah, who married first, George Godfrey and second, Rev. John Alexander, 
Elizabeth, second wife of Richard Baker, and Mary, (2d) wife of Rev. John 
Osgood. 


Josiah Osgood I, brother of Thomas, married Mary (Bacon ?). 


280 HISTORY OF MIDWAY CHURCH. 


Children :—1. Josiah. 2. Solomon. 3. Phoebe. 4. Deborah. 5. Mary. 
6. Elizabeth. 
Josiah Osgood I. died in 1738. 


Josiah Osgood If., son of Josiah and-Mary, married Barbara (Hauskins ?) 
nee Lupton. 

Children :—1. Josiah. 2. John. 3. Thomas. 4. Sarah, who married Paul 
Fulton, August 9, 1767, the great grandfather of Rev. Dr. T. D. Wither- 
spoon and Chancellor R. B. Fulton, of Mississippi. 5. Mary, who married 
James McCullough, February 20, 1775. 6. Elizabeth, married Jonathan 
Scarth, March 18, 1773. 

Josiah Osgood II. died June 16, 1772. 

Josiah Osgood I/T., son of Josiah and Barbara, married Margaret Fulton 
in 1768. 

Children:—Josiah, born January 12, 1773, and Margaret, born 1781. 

Mrs. Margaret Osgood died January 31, 1800. : Josiah Osgood III. died 
February 8, 1801. 

Josiah Osgood IV., son of Josiah and Margaret, married (1st) Mary Flem- 
ing, July 24, 1794. ; 

Daughter, Mary Fleming, born September 24, 1795. 

Mrs. Mary Osgood died 1795. 

Josiah Osgood IV. married (2d) Ann Osgood, August 1, 1796. Two cL.il- 
dren, Mary and a son. 

Josiah Osgood IV. died April 12, 1803. Mrs. Ann Osgood died 1206. 

John Osgood, son of Josiah II. and Barbara, married (1st) Esther S earth, 


1773- 
Children:—1. Ann. 2. John. 3. Mary. 4. Sarah. 5. Esther. 


Mrs. Esther Osgood died 1786. 


John Osgeod married (2d) Rebecca Baker, June 7, 1798. Two children, 
Rebecca and William. 

Mrs. Rebecca Osgood died November 18, 1797. 

John Osgood, Sr., died March 21, 1807. 


John Osgood, Jr. son of John and Esther, married Mary Winn February 
9, 802. John Osgood, Jr., died April 20, 1816. 


Mrs. Mary Osgood married Jonathan Bacon January 8, 1818. 


THE McINTOSH FAMILY. 


This family was eminently a large and military one, many 
of them being intimately connected with the Midway people, 
I give a few of the more prominent members. 


John McIntosh Mohr, (or Mhor, as the Highlanders write it, meaning grea?), 
was leader of the clan that came over with Oglethorpe from Scotland in 


THE McINTOSH FAMILY. 281 


1736. He was taken prisoner by the Spaniards in 1740, and sent to Spain 
where he remained two years in prison. His wife was Margery Fraser. 


FIRST GENERATION. 


Children of John Mohr and Margery McIntosh :—1. William, married 
Mary McKay. 2. John. 3. Lachlan, the General. 4. George, married 
daughter of Patrick Houston. 5. Ann, married Robert Baillie, whose 
granddaughter was the wife of Judge Iverson L. Harris. 6. Barbara. 


SECOND GENERATION. 


Children of William and Mary Mclutosh :—1. Col. John MclIntosh,* of 
Sunbury fame. 2. Lachlan (Major). 3. Margery, married James Spalding. 
4. Hester, married Alexander Baillie. 


THIRD GENERATION. 


Col. John Mcfntosh married Sarah Swinton, of South Carolina, and had a 
son, Major William Jackson McIntosh, who married Maria Hillary, and 
who was the fatherof Dr. William H. McIntosh, Baptist minister. Col 
John McIntosh also had ason, Col. James Simmons McIntosh, who fell 
mortally wounded in the Mexican war. 

Major Lachlan McIntosh, son of Col. William and Mary, was the father 
of Commodore James McKay MclIntosh, and also the father of Miss Ma- 
ria McIntosh, th2 authoress, and also of Mrs. Ann Ward, the mother of 
Hon. John E. Ward. 

Hester McIntosh, daughter of William and Mary, married Alexander 
Baillie. Their only daughter and child, Margery, married John Kell, Jr., 
son of John Keil, Sr., “planter,” and was the mother of Captain John Kell, 
Adjutant General of the State of Georgia. 


FOURTH GENERATION. 


Col. James Simmon McIntosh, who iell in Mexico, had two sons, John 
Baillie McIntosh and James McQueen McIntosh, the former a Federal and 
the latter a Confederate General. General John Baillie McIntosh lost a 
leg at the battle of Gettysburg, and General James McQueen McIntosh was 
killed at Pea Ridge, Arkansas. After his death, his brother sent for his wid-- 
ow and child and had them carried through the lines and kindly cared 
for them till the close of the war. 

There are many other families of whom I would love to 
give sketches, but both want of time and lack of suitable 
material within reach would alike debar me from underta- 
king anything further in this line. Nor yet are the ones 
given as full as I would like to make them. 

* After the close of the Revolutionary war, Col. McIntosh removed to Florida, and 


was arrested by the Spaniards upon suspicion and sent to Havanna, where Le was con- 
fined as prisoner for one year in Moro Castle. 


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HISTORY OF MIDWAY CHURCH. 


SOME GENERAL STATEMENTS. 


Michael Bacon, of South Carolina, had a son, Thomas, 
doubtless the father of Samuel and Joseph, who were broth- 
ers, and from whom the Bacons descended. Rebecca Bacon, 
who married Thomas Quarterman, Sr., was the daughter 
of Joseph. Michael Bacon was brother-in-law, both to Wil- 
liam Way, Jr., and Josiah Osgood I. It was Josiah Osgood 
II. who removed to Liberty county. Michael Bacon died 
in 1745. 

Benjamin Baker, the son of Thomas, married (1st) Su- 
sannah Osgood, sister of Rev. John Osgood. Sarah, the 
first wife of William Baker, Sr., (first deacon) must also 
have been a sister of Rev. John Osgood, as he speaks in his 
will about ‘‘Sarah and Elizabeth,’ daughters of Benjamin 
Baker, as ‘‘his neices,’’ i. e.. through his wife. So Joanna, 
wife of John Lupton, must have been another sister, as said 
Lupton leaves a large share of his estate to his ‘“‘beloved Su- 
sanna, daughter of Benjamin Baker.”’ 

Samuel Way, early settler, married Rebecca Lupton. Af 
ter his death she became the second wife of William Baker, 
Sr., (1st deacon). 

Nathaniel Way married Sarah Dunham, who, after his 
death, married John Stacy, Sr. 

Lydia Saunders was a widow, her maiden name being 
Andrew. She first married Saunders, and afterwards John 
Winn, Sr. 

William Graves, Moses Way, Thomas Peacock, and John 
Quarterman, Jr., were unmarried at the time of their remo- 
val. 

There were two Quartermans who died in Carolina, Rob- 
ert and Thomas, the latter having a son, William, and who, 
in all probability, were brothers of John Quarterman, Sr. 
Rebecca Quarterman, of whom William Baker, Sr., was 
guardian, and who afterwards married William Graves, was 
doubtless the daughter of one of these. 

Having omitted to do so in the proper place, I would here 
make honorable mention of Major John Minton, who was 


SOME GENERAL STATEMENTS. 283 


the only man that went from Liberty county to aid Texas 
in her struggles with Mexico. People at the time said he 
“lacked sense,” but behold Texas to-day with her three 
millions of inhabitants! This same old hero when seventy 
years old, fought all day in the Confederate ranks at the 
first battle of Manassas. 

It is also worthy of special mention that the great state 
of New York has to-day as its chief executive one of the reg- 
ular descendants of the Midway people, in the person and 
character of Hon. Theodore Roosevelt, who is the great- 
grandson of Gen. Daniel Stewart, the writer being also his 
great grand nephew. 

General Daniel Stewart, the brother of Sarah, the writer’s 
great-grandmother, married Susannah Oswald, (all mem- 
bers of Midway church). Martha Stewart, their daughter, 
married (1st) United States Senator John Elliott, and (2d) 
James S. Bullock. Martha Bullock, their daughter, married 
Theodore Roosevelt, and the Ilon. Theodore Roosevelt, 
their son, is now the Governor of New York. 

With the bare mention of this remarkable fact as a_befit- 
ting close to these sketches and this volume, the writer here 
bids his readers an affectionate adieu! 


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